Lesson I

 Meaning of Educational Technology

To understand the meaning of educational  technology, it may be good to begin with the meaning of technology. The word "technology" comes from the Greek word techne which means craft or art. Based on the etymology of the word "technology", the term educational technology, therefore, refers to art or craft of responding to our educational need.

                                                                                                                                                                   

Many people think that technology  refers only to machines such as computers, tv videos, and the like. All these from part of technology but educational technology is all these and more! Technology is not just machines. It is a "planned, systematic method of working to achieve planned outcomes - a process  not a product. Technology is the applied side of scientific development."(Dale, 1969) Tecnology also refers to any valid and reliable process or procedure that is derived from basic research using the sientific method,"(http://en.wikipedia.org?wiki/Educationaltechnology#Perspectives_and_meaning) Technology refers to "to the ways  people use their inventions and discoveries to satisfy their needs and desires" (The World Book Encyclopedia, Vol 19).  So, educational technology refers to how people use their inventions and discoveries to satisfy their educational needs and desires, i.e learning.

                            Educational technology is "a complex, integrated process involving people, procedure, idea, devices and organization for analyzing problems and devising, implementing, evaluating, and managing solutions to those problem,, involved in all aspects of human learning." Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 1977, The definition of educational technology: A summary, In the definition of educational technology, 1-16, Washington D.C.:AECT).

         Educational technology "consists of the designs and environments that engage learners ... and reliable technique or method for engaging learning such as cognitive learning strategies and critical thinking skills." ( David H. Jonassen, et al 1999).

        Educational technology is a theory about how problems in human learning are identified and solved. (David H. Jonassen, Kyle L. Peck, Brent G. Wilson, 1999). As a theory, educational technology has an " integrated set of principles that explain and predict observed events."

          Educational technology is a field involved in applying a complex, integrated process to analyze and solve problems in human learning  (David H. Jonassen, et al 1999).

          Education technology is a field study which is concerned with the practice of using educational methods and resources for the ultimate goal of facilitating the learning process (Lucido and Borabo, 1997). As a field, it operates within total field of education.

       Educational technology is a profession like teaching. It is made up of organized effort to implement the theory, intellectual techniques, and practical application of educational technology (David h. jonassen, et al 1999).

           From the definitions of educational technology given above, we can say that the educational technology is a very broad term. It is the application of scientific findings in our method, or procedure of working in the field of education in order to effect learning. It embraces curriculum and instructional design, learning environment, theories of teaching-learning. It is also a field study and a profession. It is the use of all human inventions for teachers to realize  their mission to teach in order that students learn. 

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 the application of technology to food. Health, finance, scheduling, grade, reporting, and other processes which support education within institutions”. (David H. Jonassen, et, al 1999).

 Instructional technology is a part of educational technology. Technology integration means using “learning technologies to introduce, reinforce, supplements and extend skills.” (Williams, ed.2000).

Educational media are channels or avenue or instruments of communication. Examples are books, magazines, newspapers, radio, television and internet. These media also serve educational purposes.