EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND ITS CONCEPTS

Technology in Education

Technology in education refers to the use of technological systems in education. It is mainly

concerned with electrical and electronic gadgets which are increasingly used to facilitate the

learning process. S eattlor (1978) distinguishes between technology in education and

technology of education. According to him the former is a behavioural science formulating

the concept of ET. Th is including the radio, television, overhead projector, computer, tape

recorder, etc. and constitutes technology in education. On the other hand radio and television

programmes, and OHP transparencies are based on scientifi c knowledge of education. Th

ese constitute technology of education.

Technology of Education

Technology of education deals with the active use of the systematic application of scientific

knowledge to the learning process that everyone has to pass through in order to acquire and

wield knowledge. It includes taking decisions about the size of learning groups, learning

sequence, teaching methods and selection of media. It also embraces the selective use of

media, personnel, knowledge, ideas and resources in the systematic planning, design,

production, management, and evaluation of the educational process.

Definition and Meaning of Educational Technology

Various definitions of Educational Technology have been stated as the field shows the quality

of dynamism as an evolving field. Each of these definitions was based on the practices

engaged on by the then educational technologist raging from photographic through audio to

audio-visual communications. Today, educational technology is more than the but

incorporate the revolution of information and communication technology (ICT) into the field

of education. Conceptions of educational technology have been evolving as long as the field
has, and they continue to evolve. Therefore, today’s conception is a temporary one, a

snapshot in time.

In today’s conception, Educational Technology can be defined from the perspective of

abstract concept or as a field of practice but let first defines from the perspective of concept:

Educational Technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and

improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological

processes and resources. (AECT, 2008)

Each of the elements making up this definition was thoroughly explained. i.e. study, ethical

practice, facilitating, learning, improving, performance, creating, using, managing,

appropriate, technological, processes and resources but it is beyond the scope of this class.

But as a summary, the study element constitutes continual knowledge construction and

refinement through research and reflective practice which refer to gathering information and

analyzing beyond the traditional conceptions of research. Ethical practice borders on

judicious use of media and on respect for intellectual property with guided principle as basis

for practicing educational technology. Facilitating is projecting learner ownership regarding

the role of technology in being facilitative rather than controlling learning, giving more

attention to learning environment. Learning in this context is view from the point of being

productive, active-use and deep learning as a demonstration of achieving the goals and

objectives of knowledge understanding and retention. Improving connotes efficiency and

effectiveness with accomplishment of goal-oriented learning in consideration with time,

effort and expense dissipated while learning.

Performance simply refers to learner’s ability to use and apply the capabilities or knowledge

gained in the process of learning. Creating from this definition is an attempt to give credence

to factors that will guide in generating a conducive learning environment whether in formal

or informal settings. Using connotes bringing the learners in contact with learning conditions
and resources necessary to facilitate knowledge. Managing refers to carrying out managerial

activities or functions involving personnel and technological products involve in the process

of learning. Appropriate connotes applying to both processes and resources with respect to

suitability and compatibility with their intended purposes. Technological is included to justify

the systematic application of scientific or other organized knowledge to practical task.

Process in this definition is meant to explain the specialized processes employed to design,

develop and produce learning resources in instructional development process. Resources is

last element of this definition and it attempt to identify the congruent of educational

technology which include people, tools, technologies and materials designed to assist learner.

As an expansion of the above definition as it relates to information and communication

technology (ICT); Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating e-

learning, which is the learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing

appropriate technological processes and resources. 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, 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 wikis and blogs, and activities.

In conclusion, the study of educational technology prepares individuals by helping them

acquire a deeper understanding and mastery of: learning resources (messages, people,

materials, devices, techniques and setting); processes for analyzing and devising solutions to

those problems through research, theory, design, production, evaluation, utilization; the

processes involved in organization and personnel management. The focus is on effective

technology on learners and organizations.