Chapter 1: Introduction to Educational Technology

What is educational technology? The current definition provided by AECT is “the ethical study and application of theory, research, and practices to advance knowledge, improve learning and performance, and empower learners through strategic design, management, implementation, and evaluation of learning experiences and environments using appropriate processes and resources.”

This is a recent update so there are no publications explicitly discussing this definition just yet. However, you will still see references to the previous definition of the field in publications, and this has been discussed extensively in the literature. This older definition defined the field as “the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources” (Januszewski & Molenda, 2008, p. 1).

Januszewski & Molenda (2008) further describe each of the major terms in the above definition as follows:

• Study – research and reflective practice in order to “examine the appropriate applications of processes and technologies to the improvement of learning” (p. 2).
• Ethical practice – ethics are not merely rules to follow, but the basis for our practice as educational technologists. We should question our assumptions and seek to serve the benefit of learners and of society.
• Facilitating – the focus in the field has shifted from its early focus on transferring knowledge from teacher to learner to a focus on facilitating activities and environments that engage the learner and lead to deep learning.
• Learning – the current conception of learning goes beyond mere retention of information to encompass “the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes used beyond the classroom walls” (p. 4).
• Improving – educational technology should provide efficient and cost-effective ways to bring about the desired learning benefits.
• Performance – the “ability to use and apply the new capabilities gained” (p. 7).
• Creating – “the research, theory, and practice involved in the generation of instructional materials, learning environments, and large teaching learning systems in many different settings” (p. 7).
• Using – includes the selection of an appropriate resource as well as its implementation.
• Managing – can include project management and management of large-scale systems.
• Appropriate – suitable for the defined purpose, based on information and sound professional judgement
• Technological – processes and resources
• Process – “ a series of activities directed towards a specific result”
  (p. 11)
• Resources – “people, tools, technologies, and materials designed to help learners” (p. 12).

While these definitions may seem abstract, you can see that they encompass much more than simply the use of the latest digital gadgets.  Educational technology involves a thoughtful effort to employ the right technologies in the right way to meet learning goals.