Warm Up

Please write a short response to the following questions:

What technology do we need to effectively educate?

What technology could we do without?

Educational Technology

An Overview

What is Educational Technology?

In theory, any tool used in a classroom is a piece of technology

Pencils, blackboards, etc.

The term and concept really only dates to the past half-century with the coming of the “communication revolution.”

Radio, television, computers, etc.

Both tool and process – educational technology includes not only the devices we use for teach but also the methods we use to employ them in the classroom.

One Definition

“A combination of the processes and tools involved in addressing educational needs and problems, with an emphasis on applying the most current digital and information tools.”

Historical Perspectives

Thinking about what educational technology and how it should be used as changed over time

1. Media and Audiovisual (AV) – Slides and films were once seen as a more standardized, effective way of delivering information than traditional lecturing – technology could replace older ways of learning

2. Instructional Systems – Military and industrial instructors saw technology as a more efficient way to train people quickly, still using teachers. Sometimes called “educational problem solutions.”

Comprehension Questions

What would be an example of Perspective 1 (Media and AV) in practice? Perspective 2 (Instructional Technology)?

What are some potential drawbacks to these views of technology?

Historical Perspectives

3. Vocational Training – Knowing that technology was increasingly becoming part of the workforce, educators thought education should itself focus on teaching students how to use technology. Also called “technology education.”

4. Computer Systems – The particular power of computing applications could allow for innovations in types of instruction and curriculum. Also called “educational computing.”

Comprehension Questions

What would be an example of Perspective 3 (Vocational Technology)? Perspective 4 (Computer Systems)?

What are some potential limitations of these perspectives?

How do all four of these perspectives contribute today to an overall understanding of “educational technology?”

Overview of Current Educational Technologies

Most contemporary computing technology requires some combination of hardware and software

Hardware – physical equipment

Software – programs that determine how hardware behaves

Hardware

Microcomputers – desktop computers, laptops, and to some extent tablets. These are computing devices which are mobile to some extent but generally are used in place.

Handheld Technologies – cell phones, ebooks, “smart” pens. Technologies that are very mobile and improve location-independent communication.

Display technologies – projectors, but also wireless devices that allow for student responses to appear before the class.

More Hardware

Imaging Technologies – cameras and scanners. These technologies allow you to create visual images to use in the classroom.

Peripherals – keyboards, mice, printers, microphones. These are input and output technologies that allow you to enter information into a computer and then use it.

External Storage – drives that allow more information to be kept and made available.

Comprehension Questions

How could you use each of these types of hardware in the classroom?

Are some more useful than others?

Software

Instructional – tutorials, practice programs, and simulations. These are programs that are designed to teach concepts or skills to students in a manner that a normal teacher cannot.

Productivity – word processing, spreadsheets, databases, e-mail. These are technologies that improve efficiency of typical teacher and student tasks.

Administrative – student records, payroll systems. These are technologies not directly related to teaching that allow the school system itself to function more efficiently.

Comprehension Questions

What are some examples of each of these three types of software?

Which do you use in your educational life?

Which are most essential to a good educational experience?