Objective 1: Define Educational Technology

Let’s Begin:

In this lesson, you will learn about the various definitions of educational technology as
viewed by different authors and experts in the field. You will also gain insights about the roles and
functions of media or technology in the teaching-learning process.

Let’s Explore:

Go over the reading activity below to understand more about Educational Technology and
its roles and functions.

Introduction to Educational Technology

“One of the most important aspects of technology in education is its ability to level the field of opportunity
for students.” —John King, U.S. Secretary of Education
 Technology is a crucial tool in transforming learning. It can help enhance the teaching-
learning process in the classroom. Technology also helps in modifying learning approaches and
methods to cater student needs. It helps provide learning experiences that are crucial to the
students’ learning.

The term “technology” is defined as the advancements in the methods and tools we use to
solve problems or achieve a goal. In the classroom setting, technology includes all kinds of tools
that can be used to aid in the learning process (from pencil, paper, and chalkboard, computers,
print or non-print media, and more.)

“The teaching process requires the use of many tools and techniques for successful
implementation. And educational technology is what helps increase the effectiveness of learning
and easier appropriation of themes or educational content” (Ceka and Murati, 2017)

“Educational technology is a systematic and organized process of applying modern

technology to improve the quality of education (efficiency, optimal, true, etc.). It is a systematic
way of conceptualizing the execution and evaluation of the educational process, i. e. learning and
teaching and help with the application of modern educational teaching techniques” (Stosic, 2015)

Educational Technology is “a complex, integrated process involving people, procedures,

ideas, devices and organization for analyzing problems and devising, implementing, evaluating
and managing solutions to those problems, involved in all aspects of human learning.” -
Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 1977

Educational Technology “consists of the designs and environments that engage

learners…and reliable technique or method for engaging learning such as cognitive learning
strategies and critical thinking skills.” - David H. Jonassen, et al 1999

Educational Technology “is a field involved in applying a complex, integrated process to

analyze and solve problems in human learning.” - David H. Jonassen, et al 1999

Educational Technology “is a field study which is concerned with the practice of using
educational methods and resources for the ultimate goal of facilitating the learning process.” -
Lucido & Borabo, 1997

Basically, technology-enabled learning allows learners to tap resources and use varied tools
to aid in their learning. It also provides the learners with more educational opportunities
Hardware

- Equipment and related electronic and mechanical components

- Audio and visual aids (tape recorders and projectors)

Software

- Printed materials that go along with the machines/equipment

- Handouts, learning manuals, syllabus, etc.
- Bulletin boards, information boards, and chalkboards

System

- System approaches in designing and implementing the use of technology

 ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

1. Technology helps provide engaging and relevant learning experiences

2. It provides individualized learning.
3. Technology taps real-world challenges and project-based learning – using a wide variety
of digital learning devices and resources to show competency with complex concepts and
content
4. Technology allows students and teachers to access learning opportunities outside the
classroom setting.
5. Technology can arouse the learners’ passion and individual interest.
6. Technology helps increase the quality of the learning.
7. Education Technology can be a vehicle or tool to support the ideas, perspectives, and
beliefs of the learners.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA TO THE LEARNING PROCESS

Effective instruction is a key component in attaining the students' knowledge and the
learning objectives of the course. Instructional media helps capture the students’ interest, build
longer student retention of the lesson, provide relevant lessons to the students.

“Availability and adequacy of Instructional Media contribute in improving pupil’s

participation as it exposes learners to the real world of learning as well as building understanding
and retention because when things are seen, they are more remembered than when they are simply
heard”- (Wambui, 2013).

“According to) the use of visual aids during teaching motivates the pupils and reinforces the
learned language. It further provides exciting learning experiences and helps to improve reading,
writing, speaking and listening skills” – (Fidanboylu, 2014)

“Media resources are useful in language instruction. They also argue that instructional resources
are vital to the teaching of any subject. With this regard, the use of various instructional media is
essential for mastery of 3Rs” – (Makewa et al., 2012)

“The use of instructional media makes the learning process more effective because it builds
greater understanding, reinforcement and retention of the subject matter” - (Ayot, 1984 as cited
in (Ngussa, 2015).
 GUIDELINES IN THE SELECTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA

a. learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are specific statements that determine what the learner should
be able to exhibit at the end of the lesson. Teachers should give importance to the kind
of materials that they use in their classrooms and make sure that these materials meet
the learning objectives of the course.

b. intended audience

Instructional materials should be age appropriate. It is crucial for teachers to

consider the intended audience of their instruction materials. Since, if materials are not
suitable for the learners, this will affect their learning. A study conducted by the National
Association for the Education of Young Children (1987) asserts that materials used in the
classroom should be developmentally appropriate for the students.

c. relevance

This is because instructional materials that are relevant to the child’s experiences
foster lifelong learning and longer retention. As mentioned by Ladsen-Billings (1994),
relevant teaching boosts the learner’s social, emotional, intellectual, and political aspects.
This also enables them to apply outside the concepts they have learned in school.

d. availability

The use of instructional materials should be made available in schools to provide

effective and stimulating learning process to the learners.

e. physical appearance
 Students are visual learners. They retain information longer if it is conveyed
through visual aids. Hence, teachers should incorporate instructional materials that are
more visually appealing. One study states that 83% of what students learned comes from
their sense of sight (Cuban, 2001). A study conducted by Gopal V. P. (2010) states that
visual materials plays a vital role in making learning permanent.

f. flexibility

Flexibility is pivotal in the successful use of instructional materials. It refers to how

wide and how varied your instructional materials can cover lessons and how it can be
applied to a variety of learners. Creating flexible materials can help teachers integrate more
concepts.

g. ease of use

Instructional materials are used to help the teachers in the delivery of their lessons.
In other words, it makes the work of teachers easier. When making instructional materials
for your students, teachers should consider the convenience and accessibility of the
materials. Teachers should avoid materials that are not easy to use and instead, use
materials that would lessen their burden.

h. students’ engagement

Instructional materials should foster motivation for students. The students’

engagement is determined on how the learning materials were presented in the class.
Hence, instructional materials play an important role in providing the learners with
appropriate instruction. Since the higher the quality of the instruction, the more the students
are motivated to learn (Edori, 2014).

i. authenticity
 Authentic materials are learning resources that provide students with real experiences. The
authenticity of instructional materials is important as this gives the learner an opportunity to
experience real life scenarios inside the classroom. In addition, authentic instructional materials
are deemed interesting, absorbing, and motivating by the students (Masood, 2013). This is because
the use of authentic resources helps the students be engaged in the learning tasks. As stated by
Edge (1996), instructional materials that are authentic bring meaning to the learning.