Educational

Technology
Philosophy
Higher Education

Courtney Stanford
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Educational technology plays a large part in higher education as well as individualized

success. Educational Technology offers a more affordable and accessible education that provides
higher rates of completion. It is because of my experience at Texas A&M University -
Commerce that I have been able to define and achieve my own success. My passion is in helping
others achieve their own success they define for themselves. I plan to use higher education as my
platform in pursing my passion.

Educational Technology creates a more accessible education on many fronts. Through the
ability to plan, design, evaluate, and revise instruction, paired with educational technology,
online courses were born. Students are able to study on their own and away from school. (Winn,
2002) Student resources now available through educational technology allow for an increased
accessibility for students with disabilities and/or separated by distance. Through computer
programs text can be read aloud, graphics can be displayed, images increased in size, and 3D
models can be printed. With these resources instruction can be molded to meet specific student
needs. In recent years educational resources are more readily available through technology that
utilizes the internet. Internet sources allow for texts and videos to be available at free or low
costs by educators who are looking to share their information.

Through my experience in pursuing my degree the accessibility afforded through

educational technology made all the difference. It was through online lectures I was able to
complete my degree. I plan on passing on these accessibility affordances to my students. In my
Freshman Success course my lessons will be accompanied by recordings, available online.
Recordings fit into the Age of Instructional Design, focusing on content. While the classroom
goes at a pace dictated by the teacher. Online recordings allow students to go at their pace. They
may pause, rewind, and take notes at the pause that works best for them.

Affordability played a large part in my decision to pursue a degree. Again I plan to pass
this on to my students. By straying away from physical textbook I can cut a large expense to my
students. In class textbook content will be replaced with various online resources. The University
Library offers a vast selection of texts online at no extra charge. These texts can be supplemented
with videos and websites. By using various texts, videos, and websites I create more control on
the format of the classroom lessons. I can design the message versus the static message presented
through a singular textbook.
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Through the combination of more affordable and accessible education a higher rate of
completion can be linked to the utilization of educational technology. Online classes have been
correlated with higher levels of completion (Barshay, 2015). Through the use of technology in
education students are leaving a digital footprint. By utilizing this digital footprint in my
classes I will be able to implement predictive analytics and view learning analytics. This
information can be used to allow me the opportunity to see a students struggles sooner, rather
than later. I can then reach out to them and let them know that I see them and I can see the
struggles being presented. My goal is to create stronger individual connections with my
students. (Westervelt, 2017)

In my future I see educational technology as a tool for me to pursue my own education

and passions. I am finding financial literacy is an important component of success. Over time I
have slowly developed my skills in educating others on this topic. I found the topic of financial
literacy intimidates many. The use of technology helps people become more comfortable with
the topic. Through computer programs we are able to play with potential budgets, calculate
interest rates and accrued expenses within a simulated environment. This separation of reality
and simulation allows people to relate without stress. Through computer programs I can create
infographics and videos that make the dull topic of finance more interesting I learn about the
topic, myself, through online resources. Many educators are passionate about their work and
offer their instructional tools online for free or at low pricing.

Educational technology is shown to stimulate success through a variety of aspects.

Success of students in higher education can be linked to educational technology through
increased accessibility, affordability, and competition rates. Personal passions can find success
through the utilization of educational technology while learning. Educational technology is ever
evolving and we need to be open to new concepts as we prepare to implement it.
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References

United States, Office of Educational Technology. (2017, January). Retrieved from

https://tech.ed.gov/files/2017/01/Higher-Ed-NETP.pdf

Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Definition and

Terminology Committee . (2004). The Definition of Educational Technology . Retrieved
from http://ocw.metu.edu.tr/file.php/118/molenda_definition.pdf

Barshay, J. (2015, May 11). The Online Paradox at Community Colleges. Retrieved from
https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/05/11/the-online-paradox-at-community-
colleges

Johnson, H., & Cuellar Mejia, M. (2014, May). Online Learning and Student Outcomes in
Californias Community Colleges. Retrieved from
http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/report/R_514HJR.pdf

Lynch, M. (2014, March 31). Technology and Graduation Rate: A Direct Correlation [Web log
post]. Retrieved July 31, 2017, from
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/education_futures/2014/03/technology_and_graduation_
rate_a_direct_correlation.html

Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved July 29, 2017, from

https://www.merriam webster. com/dictionary/technology

Westervelt, E. (2016, December 21). Students: Colleges Are Tracking You Online. It Can Help
You Graduate [Audio blog post]. Retrieved July 31, 2017, from
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/12/21/504735080/students-colleges-are-tracking-
you-online-it-can-help-you-graduate

Winn, W. (2002). Current Trends in Educational Technology Research: The Study of Learning
Environments. Educational Psychology Review,14(3), 331-351. Retrieved from
http://vizedhtmlcontent.next.ecollege.com/CurrentCourse/Winn2002.pdf