Ed. Tech.

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EDCI 51300: What is Educational Technology

Melinda Dye

Purdue University



























Ed. Tech. 2
What Is Educational Technology
When I think of educational technology, I think of the many different
technologies that can be used during instruction to convey knowledge through a given
process. When I first started training, this meant using overheads and then PowerPoint
and following a strict agenda (checking off a box when a task was completed). Over
the years this has developed into creating online training manuals, tools to gauge
knowledge acquisition, technology to make training interactive, and then meshing both
instructor led training with computer based training to meet the needs of all learners
while completing the course objectives vs. checking off the boxes of an agenda. I also
feel an Educational Technologist knows how to determine what technologies and
processes to use to meet the desired learning outcomes of the course. I feel that
technology creates a synergy between the learner and the educator and can create the ah
ha moment in learning.
In Chapter 1, Reser states early definitions of the field of instructional
technology focused on instructional media-the physical means via which instruction is
presented to learners(Reiser, 2012 , p.1). I remember in grade school, teachers would
use film strips as a way to incorporate media into the classroom or possibly a film. When
I first started training, if I had a class and I needed to attend a conference call, I would
use a video to babysit the class. In either examples I dont feel that media was used to
help in the learning process, but to provide a break for the teacher or instructor. I think
because of the emphasis placed on the power of technology in learning, that any
technology used in the classroom is almost always purposeful.
Becoming an Educational Technologist
Ive been in the training and education field for almost 20 years. My first real
job was when I worked at MCI; we embraced change and technology and were always
adapting to the latest and greatest in both technology and concepts. This environment is
what instilled in me my passion for learning and technology. I held several different
positions within the training organization at MCI, however my last position as a training
developer was what drove me into the educational technology field. Our department was
responsible for creating hardcopy training documents, however we were in the process of
transitioning to CBTs and other technology to help drive consistency with our training in
18 call centers. We had begun implementing technology into our training when MCI was
bought by Verizon which led to me being laid-off.
Since then, Ive been with two other companies and experienced the exact
opposite with one of them. The environment did not encourage change or acquiring new
knowledge (both technology and concepts) and I saw the effects first hand. When I first
started, upper management was enthusiastic about training and was placing a lot of
emphasis on training at all levels (management and frontline employees). There were
weekly management development sessions which were becoming more and more popular
using online media and software. We were creating new online tools to make gathering
information easier for frontline representatives. Then everything stopped. Employee
morale became low and attrition went up. Many of the representatives felt their jobs
Ed. Tech. 3
were getting harder because training no longer existed and the online tools were not being
kept up to date. This further convinced me that I wanted to learn more about technology
in education and how I can use it to make an impact. I was frustrated myself because I
didnt have the knowledge I needed to present to management on why we needed to
continue our efforts.
Helping People Learn
I feel that Educational Technology helps people learn by providing alternate
modalities that better suit each participants learning style. I currently train V.A. staff
how to use Excel to analyze data. One of the key messages I relay to learners is if they
want to know something about Excel, google it. They will not only find step-by-step
documented instructions, but YouTube videos where you can watch someone perform a
function in Excel. I feel Education Technology helps encourage people to want to learn
because learning can take place using your computer with no other participants and thus
allows us to make errors freely, where if we were in a traditional classroom this might not
happen. Educational Technology provides us with a process to learn, but the freedom to
do so independently and without peer judgment.
Changing Definition
Here is part of my original definition : I think of the many different technologies
that can be used during instruction to convey knowledge through a given process. I also
feel an Educational Technologist knows how to determine what technologies and
processes to use to meet the desired learning outcomes of the course. I feel that
technology creates a synergy between the learner and the educator and can create the ah
ha moment in learning.
Since taking this course, my definition has expanded to include the role of
ethics. While I think much of ethics is common sense, I feel ethics plays a bigger part
and is more complex. One of my biggest concerns with education and technology is
access. As more education courses require technology we need to address the issue of
access for everyone.