Understanding the Educational Technology,
It's Nature, Scope and Characteristics
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.
Other Definition of Educational Technology
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
improved learning outcomes.
Educational Technology is based on theoritical knowledge from different disciplines
(communication, psychology, sociology, philosophy, artificial intelligence, computer science,
etc.) plus experiential knowledge from educational practice.
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 this problems involved in all aspects of human learning.
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. This professionals are called "Educational Technologists".
In addition, there are also other terms associated with Educational technology such as
instructional technology and technology in education.
Instructional Technology-is the theory and practice of design development, utilization,
management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning.
Technology in Education-is the application of technology to any of those processes involved in
operating the institutions which house the educational enterprise.
SYNTHESIS:KEY THEMES AND CONCEPTS
*Educational Technology is a broad field that encompasses practically all academic disciplines.
*Educational Technology is understood and discussed in different perspectives; hence, it is
difficult to define.
*In the context of teaching and learning, educational technology is a process, a theory and a
profession.
*Educational Technology is a theory because its application are based on theoritical knowledge
of the various disciplines.
*Educational Technology is a process because it involves people, procedures, ideas, and
organization used to analyze, implement, and manage solutions of problems pertaining to all
aspects of human learning.
*Educational Technology is a profession. Professionals in this field meet the academic criteria
and subscribe to the ethical standards of the profession.
*Educational Technology, instructional technology and technology in education are not the
same.
*Educational Technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving
performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and
resources.
*Instructional Technology is the discipline devoted to techniques, approaches, or ways to make
learning more efficient based on theory. It is the application of technology to bring about
effective learning.
*Technology in education is concerned with the educational administrative applications and
other processes which support education with in institutions.
