Showing posts with label educational technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label educational technology. Show all posts
A Quick Peek on the History of Educational Technology
The process of imparting essential knowledge, skills and values has been expedited and made much easier by the use of technology. Educational technology often refers to the learning processes and system that could be used to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the educational system. It would be interesting to take a quick peek at the history of educational technology.
Using technology in the learning process could be tracked down to the days when man invented the earliest tools and used them to create paintings on cave walls. In the early 1900’s, man began creating educational films. Decades later in the 1920’s, Sidney Pressey developed the first "teaching machine, which offered drill and practice exercises, and multiple choice questions. The Second World War saw the first large scale usage of new technologies to train US soldiers through films and mediated materials.
The 1950’s, meanwhile, saw the development of an updated "teaching machine" and "programmed instruction" by B. F. Skinner. The decade also saw the commencement of machine learning as Frank Rosenblatt invented the "perceptron" in 1957. The 1970's to 1990's, on the other hand, is the development period for “computer-based training" (CBT), computer-aided instruction (CAI), and computer-based learning (CBL).
Educational technology took a big leap in the mid-90’s when the digitized communication and networking became popular through the usage of world wide web, e-mail and forums. These technologies gave birth to a new teaching paradigm, computer-mediated communication (CMC). Programs like Microsoft PowerPoint and Word have become typical applications used in the educational process.
The 2000's until recently, thousands of pervasive technologies were developed that could help expedite the process of education.
Technology has been a big factor in helping professors, students and other education stakeholders to make the learning process become effective and efficient as well as exciting and enjoyable.
Technology and its Impact on Education
For the recent years and decades, the growth of education has been much expedited by technology. Defined simply as the process of passing on knowledge, skills and values, education is one of the activities of the society that that has etched a great impart in its development. Technology, defined as the application of technical knowledge, methods as well as techniques, has been playing the catalyst role in the positive development of the different significant activities in the society.
In the educational context, technology has been providing more than enough support to make the process of learning more efficient and effective. Whereas in the past that education is all about pen and paper, educational technology has made it possible for students to use other media that would greatly improve the way knowledge and skills are passed from one person to others.
The computer alone is one the main technological innovations that has brought mankind to leap several times in terms educational improvement. Educational technology brought by computers and the Internet has allowed the learning to advance further than what had been expected. Computers and the Internet have shattered many educational impediments that have been slowing down the process of learning. Years prior to the worldwide popularity of the computer and the Internet as a household item, it was hard to obtain information and other data related to education. Thanks to the educational technology brought by computers and the Internet, it is now easier to conduct a research about any academic subject or topic. Thousands of computer programs and application have also been created that have made the academic life of students much easier to day than decades ago.
The positive impact of technology in the educational process cannot be denied. Although risk do follow, positive things still outweighs the negative ones.
Educational Technology and its Impact
The word “technology” is derived from Greek “technología,” which is combination of the terms “téchnē”, which means "craft” or “skill" and “logia,” which means "study of." The term originally means “study of a craft.” Merriam-Webster defines “technology” as the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area. Knowledge results in the creation of tools, techniques and methods, machines, craft and systems that allows the solution of certain problem or performance of a particular action. Technology could also be used to expedite learning and improve educational functions. The use and management of suitable technologies and processes to expedite learning is called educational technology.
For ages, technology has been instrumental in accelerating the educational process. Even before the advent of computers, there had been tools and systems that were used to advance learning. Educational technology before the advent of computers includes but not limited to books, newsletters, typewriter, printing tools and other materials. People may consider these technologies as outdated, but it should of great note that education would not be as it is now if not for the books and typewriter used in the heydays. It should also be noted that the technology that the world is enjoying now will also be considered obsolete in the future.
Today, there have been so many innovations and inventions that are currently and will be used to improve education around the world. Computers and the Internet have enabled the acquisitions of needed information in a matter of seconds and minutes. Information, documents and even video and audio files could now be relayed to the other side of world thanks to the technology that humans possesses today.
Educational technology is one of the keys that would change the way knowledge is imparted to the next generation. It should be used accordingly to it purpose.
The Diverse and Deep Field of Educational Technology
Educational technology refers to the technology used in education. It has many deeper and broader definitions. The use of technology in education includes the tools, systems and processes used by teachers or instructors in teaching or instructing and students in learning. These groups of people are the users or beneficiaries of technology in education. Aside from them, there are people who play a role in this field. They are the educational technologists.
In educational technology, the professionals or experts are called educational technologists. These group of people range from the people who study or analyse situations and look for better ways in which technology can be used, to people who further study the situations which translate into the tools, systems and processes. These group of people go beyond the end-users (students, teachers). They are the academic and technology scholars who study the tools, systems and processes. They can even include psychologists because education has a great foundation on psychology.
The simplest samples of educational technology are the technological tools used in classrooms. Computers and projectors are very common examples. Aside from these hardware, software is also an important aspect in the use of technology in education. Students, whether online or traditional, now have websites, networks and forums in which they forge learning and education. Schools, especially universities and colleges have websites for the different needs of students and prospective students.
This field of study is deep and diverse. Even though it has already developed for a relatively long period of time, the field and study is still very dynamic and very full of potential. A lot can still be developed, dug or diversified. In turn, lots of debates are going on and new ones crop up every now and then. There are lots of things to look forward to in this study and field.
Essential Elements in Educational Technology
Education technology or commonly known as educational technology is usually defined as the study and ethical practice of easing the learning process and enhancing performance by creating, using and managing relevant processes and resources in technology. Education technology is often associated with teachers, instructors, lecturers, educators and other individuals who are involved in using various technological processes and resources in making it easier for the process of learning to be performed by the student, in improving the student's performance in learning and absorbing the new skills and knowledge that he has learned, and easing the process on how he applies and uses the knowledge or skills that he has learned.
It is important that the teachers, lecturers, educators and other individuals involved in the process of educational technology that they should know the essential elements or factors involved in the easing the processes and uses of the approaches used in education technology.
The essential elements of educational technology is important because the success of an individual in teaching and educating his students with the use of educational technology would depend on how effective and efficient he was in using the essential elements in teaching his lessons and in communicating with his students. The essential elements of education technology:
- Relevant techniques, tools or processes – As an educator, you should use the techniques, tools or processes that are applicable and relevant to use for educating your students. Moreover, those techniques, tools or processes should be understood by the student and he would have an applicable use for them in a practical setting.
- Effective implementation – A technology used in the process of teaching students should be carried out by the teacher in an efficient manner when he uses the technology for his lessons. You should make sure that the technology that you use would fulfill the purpose it was meant for, and it would also be used by the student so he would learn from the technology that you used.
Current Trends in Educational Technology for K-12 Education
The field of educational technology or also known as education technology could include the latest trends in technologies that could be used in the delivering and teaching of education to students, including the K-12 education level from kindergarten, primary education level, and secondary education level. It is not surprising that new and upcoming trends in technology would be applicable and relevant for use in the K-12 education levels because of their possibilities in improving the delivery of teaching to the students, and in enhancing the abilities of the students in studying and learning.
Various technology experts have stated that some of the current educational technology trends would not just appear as novelty items that could be applicable in limited educational environments, but of the technology trends would have wide applications and uses for the K-12 education system. However, some educational experts have stated that using the latest technologies as educational or learning tools in the classroom could have some disadvantages.
But many experts have countered that the advantages in using the latest educational technology trends would outweigh the disadvantages especially if they are tolerable. Some of the latest technological trends that could be applicable for K-12 education:
- Electronic books or also known as E-books would continue to have wider applications in various public school districts because they would lessen the load of books and other reading materials that the students would have to carry in their backpacks.
- Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service in which shared resources, compute software, and information would be provided to computers and other electronic devices in a manner that is similar to the delivery of utility services over a network. Cloud computing has enormous potential in the K-12 education system. It could result in electronic or mobile devices that could serve as cheaper and accessible educational or learning tools for many students because they do not have to depend on bulky desktop computers to receive resources and other information.
A Discussion on Educational Technology
Educational technology refers to the study and ethical practice that will facilitate learning and improve student performance through the creation, usage and management of appropriate technological processes and resources. The term is often associated with and encompasses the subject areas of instructional theory and learning theory. In simpler terms, educational technology can best be described as an array of tools (products of technology) that will prove helpful in advancing the quality of student learning. This can be quantified and its efficacy measured by way of answering how and why individuals involved in the education process behave.
Technology refers to material objects of use to humanity. This can include machines or hardware, information systems, methods of organisation, and techniques. Modern tools that are a product of technology are:
- overhead projectors,
- laptop computers,
- calculators,
- and for the current generation, smart phones and games
They all have the potential to improve and enhance the learning process for both educators and learners alike. Media psychology helps to bridge the gap between humans and machines by studying the aspects of human behaviour that apply to educational technology.
A person specialising in educational technology is called an educational technologist. This is an individual responsible for transforming basic educational and psychological research into an evidence-based applied science or a technology that can be used both for learning or instruction. Educational technologists are typically individuals with a postgraduate degree and have specialised knowledge in the following areas:
- educational psychology
- educational media
- experimental psychology
- cognitive psychology
They may also specialise purely in broader aspects such as Educational Technology, Instructional Technology, Human Performance Technology or Instructional Systems Design.
In current times, educational technology manifests itself through presentation-based technology which is based on the idea that learners can make use of aural and visual reception existing in many forms.
The Role of Educational Technology in Enhancing the Learning Experience
The modern world has a highly competitive and global economy. As a result, there have been significant advances in technology that have affected all areas of human life. One such example is educational technology. Educational technology has made it possible for conducting formal teaching outside of the classroom and even when teachers and students do not occupy the same room. Below are the roles in educational technology in enhancing the learning experience of students:
- Educational technology shows many possibilities for interactive and collaborative learning between and among students. Hence, it results to a more enriching and motivating environment for learning both within and outside the classroom.
- Educational technology allows learning to be personalised to take into account the individual needs of a student. This can be accomplished through the content (what the student learns) and method (how and when the student learns). Learning can be done whenever the student feels convenient and using a variety of devices: the computer, television or even a mobile phone.
The increasing role of educational technology in the learning of today's students has inevitably changed how educational institutions design and structure learning for their students. Educationalists and academics will need to adapt to new modes of learning. Authorities in education also need to provide the support essential to institutions using new media in an educational setting.
The ultimate goal of educational technology is to enhance the learning process for students, improve the ability of special students who are lagging behind the majority, and improve academic achievement for normal students. Educational technology will also help bring first-rate education to rural areas. All these can be achieved by the integration of technology in training teachers and developing a suitable curriculum, establishing innovative methods for instruction based on research which can be reasonably implemented an an appropriate setting.
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