Educational technology

is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and
managing appropriate technological processes and resources."
[1]
The term educational technology is
often associated with, and encompasses, instructional theory and learning theory. While instructional
technology is "the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation
of processes and resources for learning," according to the Association for Educational Communications
and Technology (AECT) Definitions and Terminology Committee,
[2]
educational technology includes other
systems used in the process of developing human capability. Educational technology includes, but is not
limited to, software, hardware, as well as Internet applications, such as wiki's and blogs, and activities.
But there is still debate on what these terms mean.
[3]

Technology of education is most simply and comfortably defined as an array of tools that might prove
helpful in advancing student learning and may be measured in how and why individuals behave.
Educational Technology relies on a broad definition of the word "technology." Technology can refer to
material objects of use to humanity, such as machines or hardware, but it can also encompass broader
themes, including systems, methods of organization, and techniques. Some modern tools include but are
not limited to overhead projectors, laptop computers, and calculators. Newer tools such as "smartphones"
and games (both online and offline) are beginning to draw serious attention for their learning potential.
Media psychology is the field of study that applies theories in human behavior to educational technology.
Consider the Handbook of Human Performance Technology.
[4]
The word technology for the sister fields of
Educational and Human Performance Technology means "applied science." In other words, any valid and
reliable process or procedure that is derived from basic research using the "scientific method" is
considered a "technology." Educational or Human Performance Technology may be based purely on
algorithmic or heuristic processes, but neither necessarily implies physical technology. The word
technology comes from the Greek "techne" which means craft or art. Another word, "technique," with the
same origin, also may be used when considering the field Educational Technology. So Educational
Technology may be extended to include the techniques of the educator.
[citation needed]

A classic example of an Educational Psychology text is Bloom's 1956 book, Taxonomy of Educational
Objectives.
[5]
Bloom's Taxonomy is helpful when designing learning activities to keep in mind what is
expected ofand what are the learning goals forlearners. However, Bloom's work does not explicitly
deal with educational technologyper se and is more concerned with pedagogical strategies.
According to some, an Educational Technologist is someone who transforms basic educational and
psychological research into an evidence-based applied science (or a technology) of learning or
instruction. Educational Technologists typically have a graduate degree (Master's, Doctorate, Ph.D., or
D.Phil.) in a field related to educational psychology, educational media, experimental psychology,
cognitive psychology or, more purely, in the fields of Educational, Instructional or Human Performance
Technology or Instructional Systems Design. But few of those listed below as theorists would ever use
the term "educational technologist" as a term to describe themselves, preferring terms such as
"educator."
[citation needed]
The transformation of educational technology from a cottage industry to a
profession is discussed by Shurville, Browne, and Whitaker.


Need
Education is a life long process therefore anytime anywhere access to it is the need
Information explosion is an ever increasing phenomena therefore there is need to get access to this
information
Education should meet the needs of variety of learners and therefore IT is important in meeting this
need
It is a requirement of the society that the individuals should posses technological literacy
We need to increase access and bring down the cost of education to meet the challenges of illiteracy
and poverty-IT is the answer

Importance
access to variety of learning resources
immediacy to information
anytime learning
anywhere learning
collaborative learning
multimedia approach to education
authentic and up to date information
access to online libraries
teaching of different subjects made interesting
educational data storage
distance education
access to the source of information
multiple communication channels-e-mail,chat,forum,blogs,etc.
access to open courseware
better accesses to children with disabilities
reduces time on many routine tasks

Importance of Technology in Education

In case, you're wondering, 'how important is technology in education', then take a look at our past
generations and compare the life we're living today. Had our forefathers not made revolutionary
discoveries and produced series of technological breakthroughs, would our life be like it is today?
Would it had been possible for us to gain so much knowledge and exchange information with everyone
across the globe? And as our world is developing and global communication is taking a new dimension,
technology has a great impact on our society, environment and life. Without making our children
adapt to these growing technological advancements, won't we make a grave mistake?

Since our children are the builders of tomorrow, they must be in sync with the pace with which our
society is transforming. When we focus on the history of technology in education, we find that children
who have basic computer literacy and are aware about fundamentals of technology, perform better in
their college and graduation years. It is a misconception that technology should only be studied by
students who are studying technology related subjects. The mere fact is that use of technology in
education has spread in every sphere of subjects, be it arts, commerce or science. And while a
computer science engineering student needs to be aware of computer programming, an art student is
not expected to know computer programming but certainly the art student has to be aware about
using computers easily.

Moreover, to understand how important is technology in education, one has to understand that
technology provides rich and varied experiences to students. Online education has become possible
only due to the extensive use of technology in schools and colleges. Obtaining online degree
programs has become easier by signing up for some simple certificate courses. A study conducted by
an educational organization suggests that interaction with technology for students in the early years of
life is better, as kids have an inherent ability to understand and grasp things faster. Moreover,
reading, writing, analytical and visual skills of children have been found to improve after they've been
trained in technology.
Advantages and dis advantages of technology in education

Potential
y The technology available today has made a wealth of knowledge available to students, which offers
great potential for the speed and style of learning. Information is presented in so many ways that any
type learner, whether gifted or disabled, can find and use the necessary material. This fact relates
not only to the Internet, but to all the many technological improvements in learning, from smart
boards to handheld dictionaries.
Loss of Skills
y With this increased access to knowledge also comes a probable loss of communication skills and
interactive abilities between students and teacher, and students to peers. These skills are not as
necessary in a classroom of computers, where individuality is a component of learning and is
encouraged. Aside from learning, conflict resolution and socialization used to be two prominent
reasons children came to school. The emphasis now has shifted away from these areas.
Access to All
y Education is no longer the elitist privilege it once was. The information on the Internet is there for all
who have access, without discrimination. People of all social strata are able to use technological
advances, which is a fairly new academic development in America.
Poor Remain Poor
y While general access is not denied, some children may not be exposed to computers and other
technology because of socio-economic status. A child may live in a home without a computer, and
chances are he will attend a poor school district with limited numbers of computers available. A
student may get to use a computer for a short time, or only as a once-a-week activity instead of a
regular class period. This puts these children at a disadvantage in learning technological functions.
Poor districts are also most likely not to be the recipients of other technological modes of learning.
Advantages vs. Disadvantages
y The computer age is here; this cannot be debated. Is it better for children to have access to
computers with all their data at the loss of interpersonal skills? Is it acceptable that a student can talk
to someone halfway around the world via instant messaging but not be able to get along with the
student sitting next to her in a classroom? Technology can enhance traditional methods of learning
but cannot replace the human touch. Ultimately, the quality of the class will depend solely on the
quality of the teacher and not the presence of technology.


The world is constantly changing and ways in which we function at home, work and school are also
changing. The speed at which technology has developed plays a major role in these changes. From e-
mail to on-line classes, computers are definitely influential in our lives, and can enhance the learning
process in schools in various ways. With the increasing popularity of computer technology, it is essential
for administrators to support and encourage computer technology in our education systems.

Computers are important in education because they force us to reconsider how people learn, how they
are empowered, and what the nature of learning and useful information is. We cannot avoid the presence
of computers in our schools because they are forcing educators to re-evaluate the very nature of what
and how we teach. In 1998, the Office of Technology Assessment reported there were approximately 5.8
million computers in schools across United States or approximately one machine for every nine students
(Provenzo, Brett, & McCloskey, 1999).

An advantage of having computer-assisted instruction in the classroom is that the computer can serve as
a tutor. Teachers can only aid students in the learning process so far. Computers can assist teachers and
act as a tutor for the students who are falling behind. A report entitled Computer Advantages: Tutoring
Individuals, states with computers as tutors, no student will be overwhelmed because he or she is
missing fundamentals the computer will repeat material until each lesson has been sufficiently mastered
(Bennett, 1999, p. 3). Teachers do not have the time to repeat lessons over and over again. The writer
believes it is important to give all students in the classroom the opportunity to adequately learn the
lessons, and with computers acting as tutors they can.

One of the biggest problems in the world today is illiteracy. Each year thousands of students graduate
from high school reading at the elementary school level, or not reading at all. Every student should have
the opportunity to receive additional assistance when they need it. Teachers are doing the best they can
with literacy issues in the classroom, and computers can reach the students that the teachers cannot. The
article entitled Computers as Tutors discusses Annaben Thomas (Bennett, 1999) who was unable to
read despite her years in the New York City school system. After leaving school, she was taught by tutors
and had enrolled in library literacy programs and adult education classes trying to overcome her
handicap. After doing everything she still had not learned to read, until she enrolled in a computer course
program that taught her to read and write. Because of success stories like this it is crucial to support the
use of computer technology in the classroom.

Although the advantages of having computer technology in classrooms outweigh the disadvantages, the
writer can respect the concerns of the people who are against computer technology in the classroom.
Many people argue the computer does all the work for the students, not allowing them the opportunity to
digest what they have learned. Boyle (1998) argues that information technology may actually be making
us stupid. (p. 618). He argues that the computer takes more of the thinking process out of students.

Many people who grew up in the pre-computer age worry that the use of computers will take the emotion
and heart out of the classroom. Wehrle (1998) states the pre-computer age generation envisions
designing computer technologies that still take into account the emotional needs of the students (p.5).
Their main argument against computers in the classroom is that teachers need to take into account the
importance of student emotions. They do not want the quick evolution of computer technology to interfere
with the students need for human support that they receive from the teacher-based instruction. The
implications of having computer technology in the schools are the belief that the computer will solve many
of the problems that teachers cannot. These include helping students raise the standardized test scores,
actually teaching students the basics such as reading and mathematics, and implying that the teachers
have the skills and abilities needed to accurately aid students with their computer usage.

Education serves as a window through which our imagination and curiosity can take flight into the
unknown and enhance our creativity, and the use of computer technology in education plays an
enormous role in helping students to achieve their full development potential. Given the role that
education plays in preparing students to go into the world, it seems clear that there should be a
connection between the world and the classroom. Unless education reflects the world in which it exists, it
has no relevance for the students.

In conclusion, the advantages discussed concerning computer technology in the classroom outweigh the
disadvantages. Computer technology is a positive supplement to bridge the gap between education and
the technological world in which we live. Computer-assisted technologies in schools offer students greater
access to information, an eager motivation to learn, a jump-start on marketable job skills and an
enhanced quality of class work.

A. Educutlon
1. Reduced Lubor
2. Eusler Lubor
3. Greuter Understundlng of Dlverse Cultures
Technology, especlully through vldeo-conferenclng, promotes greuter understundlng of other cultures.
In unother study, Hertel (2003) descrlbes un lnterculturul e-mull exchunge ut the college level where
U.S. students ln u beglnnlng Spunlsh cluss und Mexlcun students ln un lntermedlute Engllsh us u
Second Lunguuge cluss corresponded weekly for one semester. Survey results reveuled thls student-
centered endeuvor hud the potentlul to chunge culturul uttltudes, lncreuse knowledge und uwureness of
other cultures, foster lunguuge ucqulsltlon, us well us boost student lnterest und motlvutlon ln lunguuge
und culturul studles.
Technology hus ulso creuted u greut wuy to communlcute wlth people ln dlfferent cultures. For lnstunce,
the Internet offers u worldwlde leurnlng envlronment thut mukes dlstunce communlcutlon fust und
ufforduble. By uslng the Internet, cross-culturul cooperutlve groups cun be bullt up.
4. Enhunces Educutlon- More Resources, Presentutlon
Modellng softwure promotes the understundlng of sclence und muth concepts; dutubuse und
spreudsheet progrums promote orgunlzutlonul skllls; CD-ROMs und the Internet promote lnqulry skllls.
An emphusls on enguged leurnlng does not meun thut schools should totully ubundon technologles thut
support ucqulsltlon of buslc skllls. These technologles stlll huve vulue, especlully lf they dellver
lnstructlon to students who ure ln need of extru pructlce. Whuts lmportunt ls ensurlng thut ull students
ulso huve opportunltles to use technologles for ln-depth leurnlng pro|ects so thut they cun purtlclpute ln
complex, uuthentlc tusks wlthln u colluborutlve context und develop hlgher-order thlnklng skllls.
Technologles thut ure used for enguged leurnlng und thut support u chullenglng currlculum result ln
lmproved teuchlng und leurnlng, lncreused student motlvutlon to leurn, und hlgher levels of student
uchlevement.
The Internet, us well us some slmulutlon softwure, provldes u stuge for the reul world where students
observe, thlnk, questlon, orgunlze und test thelr ldeus. Unllke llbrurles, the Internet ls u llvlng medlum
thut offers upduted lnformutlon enrlched by gruphlcs und unlmutlons to help students solve reul-
llfe problems.
5. Access und Avullublllty
Access to the Internet und dlstunce leurnlng opportunltles promote relevunt leurnlng experlences
lrrespectlve of geogruphlc restrlctlons und lmprove student und teucher uccess to lnformutlon.
. Promotes Communlcutlon und Lunguuge
For exumple, word processlng und e-mull promote communlcutlon skllls.
Web-bused wrltlng lnstructlon hus proved to be un lmportunt fuctor ln enhunclng the wrltlng quullty of
low-ublllty Engllsh us u forelgn lunguuge (EFL) students. In u study deslgned to exumlne the
effectlveness of Web-bused lnstructlon ln the wrltlng of freshmun EFL students, Al-Jurf (2004) found
thut the use of Web-bused lessons us u supplement to trudltlonul ln-cluss wrltlng lnstructlon wus
slgnlflcuntly more effectlve thun teuchlng whlch depended on the textbook ulone. The experlmentul
group of students recelved onllne lnstructlon ln whlch they posted thelr own threuds, short purugruphs,
storles und pems on u dlscusslon bourd. They ulso locuted lnformutlon from the Internet, us well us
wrote purugruphs und checked thelr own spelllng uslng Mlcrosoft Word.
Flrst, the udvuntuges of uslng new technology ln lunguuge clussrooms cun be lnterpreted ln llght of the
chunglng gouls of lunguuge educutlon und the shlftlng condltlons ln our postlndustrlul soclety
(Wurschuuer und Mesklll 2000). New technology wus purt of the soclul fubrlc ut the turn of the century.
So whlle we tuught forelgn lunguuge students to wrlte essuys und reud muguzlnes u generutlon ugo, we
must now teuch them to wrlte e-mull und conduct onllne reseurch. Thus, lntegrutlng technology lnto
lunguuge clussrooms ls lnevltuble. Second, technology lntegrutlon ln forelgn lunguuge teuchlng
demonstrutes the shlft ln educutlonul purudlgms from u behuvlorul to u constructlvlst leurnlng upprouch.
Lunguuge ls u llvlng thlng, so the best wuy to leurn u lunguuge ls ln lnteructlve, uuthentlc envlronments.
Computer technologles und the Internet ure powerful tools for usslstlng these upprouches to lunguuge
teuchlng.
Purents were especlully pleused wlth the ublllty to uccess homework usslgnments, testlng dutes, und
obtuln revlew muterlul. Moreover, purents found lt convenlent to uccess the webslte to retrleve muke-up
work, therefore, uvoldlng culllng the school for mlssed usslgnments. Purtlclpunts ulso responded
posltlvely to the postlng of pro|ect due dutes. Muny felt thut becuuse these pro|ects requlred more tlme
und reseurch lt wus lmportunt to know ubout them ln udvunce. Another respondent prulsed the
helpfulness of the webslte for hls or her chlld who hud ADD/ADHD. Becuuse the student hud trouble
focuslng ln cluss, huvlng the usslgnments und upcomlng due dutes uvulluble for home uccess helped the
purents keep the chlld on truck.
y TECHNOLOY IN EDUCATION HAS MANY DIFFERENT ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES WHICH
AFFECTS THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS. ADVANTAGES TECHNOLOGY HELP US TO DEVELOP
WRITING SKILLS ,COLLABERATE WITH PEERS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. TEACHERS CAN USE
MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY TO GIVE COLORFUL, STIMULATING LECTURES. DISADVANTAGE IS
THAT STUDENTS WILL BE DEPENDENT ON TECHNOLOGY TO LEARN.
y
y
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