The current era is called the era of information and technology, where the use of technology is increasing rapidly in the field of education.
This improves the quality of learning and increases student proficiency.
Nowadays, educational technology has become an important part which is helping to make the education system of the future more modern and improved.
After reading this article, you will know how technology helps in education.
Table of Contents
- What Is Educational Technology?
- Origin of Educational Technology
- 3 Concepts of Educational Technology
- 4 Characteristics of Educational Technology
- 3 Scope of Educational Technology
- Objectives of Educational Technology
- 3 Importance of Educational Technology
- 3 Components of Educational Technology
- 3 Significance of Educational Technology
- Nature of Educational Technology
- Conclusion
What Is Educational Technology?
Educational Technology is a process where the teaching and learning process is made easier by using technology, methods, and various teaching materials.
It selects or designs the best plan to teach the learners so that they can achieve the teaching objectives.
If the teaching objectives cannot be achieved by the learner, then there arises the need to change the teaching strategy or strategies in the manner through which teaching objectives may be achieved.
Origin of Educational Technology
To understand the origin of educational technology, let’s go through a quick progression:
- In the Ancient Era: In this era, teachers used simple tools for learning. Traditional teaching aids such as blackboards, charts, and printed books were used.
- 1920s: Sidney Pressey developed a teaching machine through which students could answer multiple-choice questions independently and get feedback, which promotes self-paced learning.
- 1920s and 1940s: Radio, films, and audiovisual media were used.
- 1954: B. F. Skinner’s Programmed Learning promoted self-paced learning
- 1956: B.S. Bloom (1956) introduced the taxonomy of educational objectives.
- 1960: In 1960, Flanders introduced the concept of the interaction analysis model of teaching.
- 1965: Personalised System of Instruction (PSI) was first introduced by Keller in 1965.
- 1966: Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) was developed by O.K. Moore in 1966.
- 1970s and 1980s: Personal computers in education were used in this period.
- 1990s and 2000s: The internet, LMS, and e-learning were promoted.
- 2010s and Present: Today, AI, VR, AR, cloud learning, and adaptive technologies are reshaping the world.
3 Concepts of Educational Technology
The concepts of educational technology can be learned through the hardware approach, software approach, and systems approach.
It provides special assistance in providing educational opportunities to people regardless of their social and geographical conditions.
1. Hardware Approach
A hardware approach is the application of physical and engineering technology in the teaching–learning process. Human knowledge has three aspects: (1) preservation, (2) transmission, and (3) development.
From a general conception, it may be said to be the use of engineering machines in the teaching-learning process. We must remember that the foundations of educational technology are physical science and engineering technology.
The uncountable growth of knowledge and the tremendous explosion of population demand the use of mechanisms in the field of the teaching-learning process.
The mechanical and technical revolution has mechanised the teaching-learning process and contributed a lot to convey education to the masses with great ease and economy.
It is not possible for a teacher to impart knowledge to the masses or to distant people, but through mechanising the system of education, surprising changes have occurred in the teaching-learning process.
2. Software Approach
Software technology is a behavioural technology. Its origin lies in behavioural science concerning the psychology of learning. It may be named as instructional technology, teaching technology or behavioural technology.
Software technology does not use engineering machines. The psychological principles of teaching and learning provide definite technology to bring desirable changes in the behaviour of the pupils.
The software system originated from the theories of learning developed by Skinner and influenced by Gagné, Bruner, and Ausubel. This technology tries to produce suitable teaching-learning material, teaching-learning strategies, evaluation techniques, etc.
Software technology basically gives importance to developing and utilising software materials like programmed material, teaching-learning strategies, etc.
3. Systems Approach
Educational technology is a system approach or system analysis. It is also known as management technology. It was developed after World War II. Originates from General Systems Theory (Ludwig von Bertalanffy). As such, it has a scientific base.
It provides a scientific base in designing, applying and evaluating the educational process to derive the desired specific educational objectives.
The system approach, being scientific in its base, helps to study the problems of educational administration and management in a more scientific, more economic and more effective way. It also helps in formulating a scientific instructional outline.
It is a systematic application of educational technology to the whole system of education, and considers the process of education from entry behaviour to the terminal behaviour as one whole.
It incorporates all aspects and all parts of the whole system of education, such as pupils, teachers, curriculum, content, instructional materials, instructional strategy, physical environment and the evaluation of the best people at the best time and at the best price.
4 Characteristics of Educational Technology
Educational technology has individualised the process of education and introduced a system of self-directed learning in the form of self-instructional material and teaching technologies.
Some of the key characteristics of educational technology are:
1. Goal-Oriented Process
Each lesson, activity and assessment is planned according to predetermined goals. Through this, teaching becomes more organised and productive. Teachers teach by setting goals according to the needs of students.
As a result, learning progress can be easily measured. As a result, students are able to acquire specific skills and knowledge.
2. Based on Scientific Principles
Educational Technology is based on scientific principles that make teaching and learning more effective and inquiry-based. It uses theories and principles from psychology, sociology, and pedagogy.
Teaching methods are developed by analysing the learning style, memory, and behaviour of the student.
It uses tested and proven techniques. As a result, teaching becomes more effective and reliable.
3. Learner-Centered Approach
Educational technology is student-centred. Here, the needs, interests, and abilities of the student are given more importance than the teacher.
Students are actively involved in learning by participating. This increases their confidence and creativity.
4. Use of Modern Tools and Media
The use of modern equipment and digital media is very important in educational technology. Computers, the internet, projectors and multimedia tools make teaching easier.
The topics can be explained more clearly through audio-visual presentations and e-learning platforms. Through online platforms and apps, students get the opportunity to learn whenever.
Students can understand easily, and the speed of education increases through the use of modern technology.
3 Scope of Educational Technology
The scope of educational technology is very broad, as it is related to almost all aspects of education.
In the modern education system, educational technology plays an important role in every aspect of teaching, learning, assessment, and management, including college administration, record keeping, and communication.
Educational technology helps improve the teaching and learning process.
Educational technology has made distance education possible, through which those who cannot attend school regularly also have access to education.
1. Classroom Teaching
Educational technology makes classroom learning more modern and interesting. Teachers can teach through various online tools.
Students can learn quickly through visual and audio materials. The use of technology creates a positive learning environment in the classroom.
2. Teacher Training and Development
Educational technology plays an important role in improving the skills of teachers. Teachers can learn new methods through various online courses, workshops and webinars.
Being aware of new teaching techniques and methods makes teaching more comfortable and meaningful. This leads to their professional development.
3. Curriculum Design
Educational technology tries to design the curriculum suitably for achieving the desired objectives. It tries to find out ways and means for the selection of suitable learning experiences or content to meet these desired objectives.
Its function is to find a suitable framework so that effective instruction can be given according to the stipulated curriculum.
Objectives of Educational Technology
The objective of educational technology is to systematise the teaching and learning techniques in a modernised way.
The main purpose is to bring more effectiveness in the teaching-learning process. Educational technology aims to bring desirable modifications or changes in the behaviour of the teacher and students, modifying the teaching.
The best possible result can be achieved in an economic way.
3 Importance of Educational Technology
With time, teachers and students realise the importance of including educational technology in learning. It has become an important part which is helping to make the education system of the future more modern and improved.
1. Enhances Teaching Effectiveness
The aim of this technique is to make today’s education system more flexible for people to avoid challenges.
And it helped a lot because through educational technology, teachers can teach effectively and learners understand the subject faster.
2. Improves Student Engagement
Educational technology should not be confused with teaching or instruction or education or learning or engineering.
It should be taken as a sum total of all such aspects which go a long way in shaping the personality of the learner in a meaningful context. In this way, the technique improves student engagement for the long run.
3. Supports Personalised Learning
Through educational technology, students can learn in their own way, from anywhere, with multiple resources available online. This is a meaningful way of teaching and learning which avoids stress and anxiety, especially in exams.
3 Components of Educational Technology
Explore the key components in detail to understand the use of this technique:
1. Accessibility
Access to education through technology brings equality, which is a constitutional right of the individual.
It does not limit the opportunities for education. As a result, everyone gets an equal opportunity to learn.
2. Individualisation
Individualisation is an important element of educational technology. It emphasises the learning pace, interest, and ability of each student. Technology in education makes it possible to create a personalised learning plan.
This is beneficial for both weak and talented students. Individualisation increases students’ confidence and skills.
3. Input-Process-Output
Input-process-output is an important concept in educational technology.
Here, input refers to:
- Student
- Teacher’s plan
- Educational material
Process is the teaching method, strategy and activities. Output refers to the achievement of the student’s education.
From this method, a teacher can understand the student’s strengths and weaknesses in education. As a result, it can be easily determined where improvement is needed.
3 Significance of Educational Technology
1. Modernising education
Nowadays, students are also interested in gaining education through the use of smart classrooms, online learning and digital content.
Students can acquire realistic and updated knowledge. Technology makes it possible to introduce new teaching methods.
It makes education timely and relevant. It makes book-based education digital and interactive.
2. Data-Driven Decisions
Information and data are a part of education technology, and knowledge encourages us to make the right data-driven decisions.
Student performance, progress and weaknesses can be easily determined. Teachers can change the teaching methods based on this information to make it more interesting.
Using data makes it easier to make the right decisions. It plays an important role in educational planning and evaluation. As a result, educational outcomes become more accurate and effective.
3. Effective and Engaging
Educational technology makes the learning process more effective and interesting.
Multimedia, video, animation and interactive content increase the interest of students.
In the present era, this educational system makes students even more enthusiastic. Students learn about new technologies with delight.
Nowadays, students can grasp even very complex topics with great ease by utilising various technologies.
Nature of Educational Technology
Educational technology emphasises the design and development of various measurement techniques for testing, verification, and evaluation.
Educational technology accelerates the learning process by controlling the learning environment, medium, and method.
Educational technology helps in using electronic media in education.
The application of a systems perspective can be seen in educational technology.
Educational technology is an important medium for establishing communication. It includes instructional technology, teaching, and systems analysis.
Conclusion
Educational technology has become an essential part of the modern education system.
It gives learners various opportunities to understand topics by using technology if they do not understand the teacher’s lecture.
The skills developed through independent learning, particularly critical thinking, self-motivation and resourcefulness, are qualities that will define learners’ success.
