Lesson 1

Meaning of Educational Technology

"Technology is more than hardware. Technology consists of the designs and the environments that engage learners." -D. Jonassen

Introduction

     The organization of this course on Educational Technology 1 is based on the broad meaning of educational technology. That's why we start this course with a comprehensive understanding of the term educational technology.

Meaning of the 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 the art or craft of responding to our educational needs.

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

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

Benefits from using Educational Technology

1.  Increase the quality of learning and the degree of its mastery through the use of special effects of unique programming that are considered individualized valid and accessible.
2.  Decrease the time spent in instruction for learners to achieved desired learning objectives.
3.  Increase efficiency of teachers.
4.  Reduce educational cost without affecting quality of instruction.
5. 
   

Guidelines in using Educational Technology

1.  Determine the purpose for which the instructional materials are to be used.
2.  Define the objectives to determine the appropriateness of the material.
3.  Know the content of the material.
4.  Exercise flexibility so that the materials satisfy different purposes.
5.  Consider/diversity/variety of materials.
6.  Relate materials to age, ability, maturity, and interest of students.
7.  Arrange the conditions so that the materials do not interrupt the momentum of the lesson.
8.  Prepare the students for what they will see, hear, and do as lessons follow.
9.  Operate equipment needed for efficient use.
10.  Summarize experiences gained and follow up with further relevant discussion.
11.  Evaluate the results of the use materials together with the instructional process to determine effectiveness.