Nature, Scope and Characteristics

UNDERSTANDING
EDUCATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY
Definition of Educational
Technology
 Educational technology is a broad field
that encompasses practically all
academic disciplines.
 Educational technology is understood
and discussed in different perspectives;
hence, it is difficult to define.
Definition of Educational
Technology
 In 1977, the Association for Educational
Communications and Technology
(AECT) created a Task Force on
Definition and Terminology with the
primary function of providing structure
and directions on the application of
technology in education.
Definition of Educational
Technology
 AECT in 2004 came up with their revised
definition of educational technology.
 It states that “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, 2004).
Other Definitions of Educational
Technology
 Educational technology is the
implementation of appropriate tools,
techniques, or processes that facilitate the
application of senses, memory, and
cognition to enhance teaching practices and
improve learning outcomes (Aziz, 2010).
Other Definitions of Educational
Technology
 Educational technology is based on
theoretical knowledge from different
disciplines (communication, psychology,
sociology, philosophy, artificial
intelligence, computer science, etc.) plus
experiential knowledge from educational
practice (Deschryver, as cited in
Educational Technology, n.d.).
Other Definitions of Educational
Technology
 Educational technology is a complex,
integrated process involving people,
procedures, ideas, devices, and
organization, for analyzing problems,
and devising, implementing, evaluating
and managing solutions to those
problems, involved in all aspects of
human learning (Educational
Technology, n.d.).
Other Definitions of Educational
Technology
 It is viewed as a process because it involves
the systematic integration of technologies and
their interrelationships, into a complex,
integrated process to analyze problems and
create new solutions.
 According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, a
process is a natural phenomenon marked by
gradual changes or series of actions that lead
toward a particular result (Process, n.d.).
Other Definitions of Educational
Technology
 Educational technology is also a
profession in the context of educational
practices.
 Professionals in this field meet the
academic criteria and subscribe to the
ethical standards of the profession.
These professionals are called
“educational technologists’’.
Instructional Technology
 Is instructional technology the same with
educational technology? These two
terms are interchangeably used by
practitioners in the field.
 According to Seels and Richey, (1994),
instructional technology is the theory
and practice of design, development,
utilization, management, and evaluation
of processes and resources for learning.
Instructional Technology
 It is a discipline devoted to techniques,
approaches, or ways to make learning more
efficient based on theory.
 It is a subset of educational technology that
deals directly with teaching and learning
applications (AECT, 2001).
 Cambridge Online Dictionary defines theory as a
formal statement of the rules on which a subject
of study is based or of ideas that are suggested
to explain a fact or event or, more generally, an
opinion or explanation (Theory, n.d.).
Technology in Education
 Technology in education is the application of
technology to any of those processes
involved in operating the institutions which
house the educational enterprise.
 It includes application of technology to food,
health, finance, scheduling, grade reporting
and other processes which support
education within institutions (AECT, 2001).
Collaborative Learning Activity 1

 Create collaborative learning groups.

 From the different definitions of
educational technology, pick one key
word that usually appears in the
definition.
 For example you have chosen the word
“learning” or “process” which appear in
several definitions.
Collaborative Learning Activity 1

 Discuss this chosen word with your group

mates and explain why this particular word
comes out in the definition of educational
technology.
 In three sentences, define educational
technology based on your own
understanding.
 Be ready to share your group output in class
Duration: 15 minutes