What is Educational Technology
Content
What is Educational Technology? • What is technology? Technology is a rational discipline to assure mastery of humankind over physical nature, through processes, systems, and management and control mechanisms, both human and nonhuman. In other words, it is the application of scientific knowledge to solve problems. • What is educational / instructional technology? Educational technology is the application of scientific knowledge about human learning to the practical tasks of teaching and learning (Heinich, Molenda, & Russel, 1993). In other words, it is the application of scientific knowledge (strategies and techniques) to solve instructional problems. It is an attempt to bring about more effective instruction, based upon a systematic way of designing, carrying out, and evaluating the process of teaching and learning, based upon research in learning and communication. Aspects of the Definition of Educational Technology (Hackbarth, 1996) a. process: Systematic process involving application of knowledge in search for replicable solutions to the problems inherent in teaching and learning. b. products: Products of this process (software, TV programs, interactive multimedia, self-instructional programs, CBT, integrated learning systems). c. profession: o media technicians: Install, operate, and maintain equipment. o media specialists: Advise teachers on use of devices and programs. o instructional developers/designers: Systematically craft lessons, courses, and curricula. d. academic specialty: An academic specialty within the discipline of education (evidenced by existance of ed. tech. journals, degree programs, and books). Brief History of Educational Technology Educational technology really began in the middle 1400's with the invention of the movable type printing press. According to Hackbarth (1996), the history of the use of educational technology can be divided into four major eras. They are described below: 1. print media 2. audiovisual media o 1930's: phonograph records, radio broadcasts, and films o 1950's: instructional television o language laboratory: students learned grammar and pronunciation from audio tape 3. teaching machines and programmed instruction (1950's) Read (and download) a Morse Code teaching machine for the PC. 4. computers (late 1970's) Educational Technology in Context: The Big Picture Four Perspectives that Define Educational Technology 1. Media and audio visual - defines educational technology as media for communicating concepts
2. Instructional Systems and Instructional Design - educational technology as media for communicating concepts 3. Vocational Training Tools (Technology Education) - educational technology as a "preparation for the world of work" 4. Computer-Based Systems - educational technology as "computers and related electronic resources" What History of Educational Technology Has Taught Us 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Technology is not a panacea. Literacy offers limited rationale. Teachers are not developers. Possible doesn't equal desirable, feasible, or inevitable. Change is too fast to keep up with. Older technologies can be useful. Teachers always will be important.
Rationale for Technology Use ? ? ? ? ? Motivates Provides Unique Instructional Capabilities Supports New Instructional Approaches Increases Teacher Productivity Required Skills for an Information Age
Why Use Technology? ? ? ? ? ? Influence student academic performance Develop higher order thinking and problem solving Improve student motivation, attitude, and interest in learning Help to prepare students for the workforce Address the needs of low performing, at-risk, and learning disabled students
When Does Technology Work? ? ? ? ? ? ? Directly supports the curriculum objectives Provides opportunities for student collaboration Adjusts for student ability and prior experiences, and provides feedback Is integrated into the instructional day Provides opportunities for students to design and implement projects Is used in environments where teachers, the school community, and the district support the use of technology
2. Instructional Systems and Instructional Design - educational technology as media for communicating concepts 3. Vocational Training Tools (Technology Education) - educational technology as a "preparation for the world of work" 4. Computer-Based Systems - educational technology as "computers and related electronic resources" What History of Educational Technology Has Taught Us 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Technology is not a panacea. Literacy offers limited rationale. Teachers are not developers. Possible doesn't equal desirable, feasible, or inevitable. Change is too fast to keep up with. Older technologies can be useful. Teachers always will be important.
Rationale for Technology Use ? ? ? ? ? Motivates Provides Unique Instructional Capabilities Supports New Instructional Approaches Increases Teacher Productivity Required Skills for an Information Age
Why Use Technology? ? ? ? ? ? Influence student academic performance Develop higher order thinking and problem solving Improve student motivation, attitude, and interest in learning Help to prepare students for the workforce Address the needs of low performing, at-risk, and learning disabled students
When Does Technology Work? ? ? ? ? ? ? Directly supports the curriculum objectives Provides opportunities for student collaboration Adjusts for student ability and prior experiences, and provides feedback Is integrated into the instructional day Provides opportunities for students to design and implement projects Is used in environments where teachers, the school community, and the district support the use of technology
