Instructional Technology

vs.
Educational Technology

By K. Hall

What is Instructional Technology?

A broad term
Deals with the process of using technology for
instruction
Describes the technologies that facilitate access to
information of all types.
Acquisition, processing, storage, and dissemination
of information in all of its forms.
Evaluation, management, and integration of
instruction with tools available.

What do Instructional Technologists do?

Identify

and analyze problems of instructional

design.
Devise and implement solutions to those
problems.
Integrate people, procedures, ideas, and
devices for the purpose of providing tools
which enhance the learning process.

What is Educational Technology?

Development of teaching and learning

Applies theories of instruction, learning, behavioral
and cognitive psychology to assessment, design,
implementation, and evaluation of instructional
material.
Applies research, theory, technologies, and
psychology to solve instructional and performance
problems.
The particular approach used to achieve the ends of
education.

What do Educational Technologists do?

Design

instruction
Produce instructional materials
Manage instructional computing services or
learning resources collections.
Apply theories of cognition and research to
utilize technology for the benefit of the
learner.

My personal definition:
Instructional Technology is:
The

use of technological processes as a tool

specifically for teaching and learning which
facilitates access to information of all types.

My personal definition:
Educational Technology is:
The

application of theory, technology, and

psychology to achieve the goal of education
and enhance the learning of individuals.

Conclusion
It

would seem that Instructional and

Educational Technology are synonymous.
The simple definition for each makes the
distinction of their difference:
Instructional Technology is the tool.
Educational Technology is the procedure for
using that tool.