Running head: Current Issues in Educational Technology 1

Current Issues in Educational Technology

Terri Handschumacher

EDU352: Foundations of Educational Technology

Judy Donovan
Current Issues in Educational Technology 2

Current Issues in Educational Technology

The issue that I chose for my discussion is the including technology into lessons the

proper way. This is something that some educators have not fully been able to do properly. The

article that I read gave a few areas that some educators see as an areas that need improving. One

issue is that not everyone is open to the idea of including technology into their lessons. For

someone that is not very comfortable with the technology that is available to them is one thing

that will keep someone from including it into a lesson. One of the key things that one needs to

keep in mind is that the lesson does not always need to revolve around the technology that is

being used. The instructional component needs to be the focus, and then figure how the

technology can make that lesson happen. (Webster, 2017) When a lesson is one that is teaching

students about a certain form of technology then that is when the technology is to be the main

focus of the lesson. Educators should be open to utilizing resources that are available to them

that are inexpensive, such as Facebook. This is one resource that has become a valuable

educational medium that does not require high-end graphics capability that might not be

available at the school. (Lloyd, 2014) If students have a good understanding of the privacy

settings for sites such as Facebook, the educator can use this as one of their resources, instead of

banning the use of social networks. (McLeod, 2010) The changes in technology is inevitable and

we should not be resistant to these changes. (Webster, 2017) The use of technology in the

classroom can be a supplement for many aspects of teaching, including civic awareness,

environmental sustainability, and global awareness. (Lloyd, 2014) With the use of the technology

that is available is a way that students and educators can have communication to those that they

might not of had communicated with before. Having this ability is one way that students can be

informed of changes that are happening in other places that they may not have had knowledge of.
Current Issues in Educational Technology 3

Global communication and personal interaction are changing dramatically due to the new types

of connectivity provided by the internet. (Lloyd, 2014) Having access to quick information from

around that world and the reduction of effort and time needed to investigate global invents.

( Lloyd, 2014)
Current Issues in Educational Technology 4

References:

McLeod, S. (2010, November 22). If we were really serious about educational technology [Web
log post]. Retrieved from http://bigthink.com/ideas/if-we-were-really-serious-about-
educational-technology

Webster, Mark David (2017) Philosophy of Technology Assumptions in Educational

Technology Leadership. Journal of Educational Technology & Society. Jan2017, Vol.

20 Issue 1, p25-36. 12p.

Lloyd, Les. (2014) Educational Technology for the Global Village : Worldwide Innovation

and Best Practices. Medford, New Jersey : Information Today, Inc. 2014. eBook.