Understanding Educational

Technology, Its Nature, Scope

and Characteristics
 Educational Technology is such a complex
field of study. In the author's four decades
of practice as an educational technologist,
she saw how knowledge of educational
technology evolved along with the fast
growth and development of technology. Her
understanding of this field four decades ago
may no longer be true and applicable today as
the body of knowledge about educational
technology continues to change depending on
one's professional orientation, practices and
experience.
This time let us explore the body of literature
about how scholars, researchers and other
practitioners define and express their
understanding of educational technology.
Definition of Educational Technology
Educational Technology is a broad field that covers interrelated
areas of academic disciplines. Its very nature and characteristics
make it difficult for one to come up with a clear and acceptable
definition.

What is Educational
technology to you???
 The bulk of literature shows a
considerable amount of
information, views and opinions
expressed by scholars and
researchers in their attempt to
provide a universal understanding
of educational technology. The
following are some of their
notable contributions in the field
that will guide practitioners
particularly teachers in
understanding this field.
 In 1977 the Association for Educational Communications and Technology
(AECT) created a Task Force on Definition and Terminology with the
primary function of providing structure and directions on the application
of technology in education. An explorative and contextual discussion on
how educational technology should be defined was made by the AECT Task
Force.

However, in the turn of the 21" century when large amount of

information about the meaning of educational technology pervades
research studies, articles and professional journals, AECT in 2004
came up with their revised definition of educational technology.
 Their latest definition
states that "educational
technology is the study and
ethical practice of
facilitating learning and
improving performance
by creating, using, and
managing appropriate
technological processes
and resources" (AECT,
2004).
 
 Other Definitions of
Educational Technology
As you continue to surf and
navigate in the web, you will
encounter volumes of literature
that will further define educational
technology. Let's ponder on some
of these sites that attempt to
simplify the concept of
educational technology in the
context of teaching and learning.
 Educational technology is
the implementation of
appropriate tools, techniques,
or processes that facilitate
the application of senses,
memory, and cognition to
enhance teaching practices
and improve learning
outcomes (Aziz, 2010).
 Educational technology is based on theoretical
knowledge from different disciplines (communication,
psychology, sociology, philosophy, artificial intelligence, computer
science, etc.) plus experiential knowledge from educational
practice (Deschryver, as cited in Educational Technology, n.d.).

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, n.d.).
 It is viewed as a process
because it involves the, systematic
integration of technologies and
their interrelationships, into a
complex, integrated process to
analyze problems and create new
solutions. According to Merriam-
Webster dictionary, a process is a
natural phenomenon marked by
gradual changes or series of
actions that lead toward a particular
result (Process, n.d.).
 Educational technology is also
a profession in the context of
educational practices. Professionals
in this field meet the academic
criteria and subscribe to the ethical
standards of the profession. They
develop leadership skills in the design,
implementation and evaluation of
educational technology programs.
These professionals are called
"educational technologists".
 In addition, there are also other terms associated with
educational technology such as instructional technology and
technology in education.
Is instructional technology the same with educational technology?
These two terms are interchangeably used by practitioners in the
field. According to Seels and Richey, (1994), instructional
technology is the theory and practice of design, development,
utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources
for learning. It is a discipline devoted to techniques, approaches, or
ways to make learning more efficient based on theory. It is a
subset of educational technology that deals directly with teaching
and learning applications (AECT, 2001).
 Cambridge Online
Dictionary defines theory as
a formal statement of the rules
on which a subject of study is
based or of ideas that are
suggested to explain a fact or
event or, more generally, an
opinion or explanation
(Theory, n.d.).
 Technology in education on the other hand is the application of
technology to any of those processes involved in operating the
institutions which house the educational enterprise. It includes
application of technology to food, health, finance, scheduling,
grade reporting and other processes which support education within
institutions. Hence, technology in education is not the same as
educational technology (AECT, 2001).
 The foregoing definitions readily support the claim that educational
technology is a complex and a wide field of study. Knowledge and
understanding of this field will continue to change as new pedagogical
practices and technological innovations pervade the educational technology
landscape. As future teachers, try to abreast yourself with these changes
and adapt them to meet the learning needs of your digital students.
 Directions:
  ❖ Create collaborative learning groups.
• From the different definitions of educational technology,
pick one key word that usually appears in the definition.
❖ For example you have chosen the word "learning" or
"process "which appear in several definitions. Discuss this
chosen word with your group• mates and explain why this
particular word comes out in the definition of educational
technology.
❖ In three sentences, define educational technology based
on your own understanding.
• Be ready to share your group output in class.