Lesson 2: Educational Technology History and ICT

 “Technology is more than hardware. Technology consists of the designs and the environment that engage learners. –D. Jonassen           

Technology comes from the Greek word techne which means craft or art. If combined together, educational technology refers to the art or craft responding to our educational needs. Educational technology (ET)

     

               includes the application of scientific findings in our method,

      process or procedure of working in the field of education

         in order to effect learning. It embraces curriculum and

         instructional design, learning environment, theories of

    teaching-learning. It is also a profession. It is the use of all

        human invention for teachers to realize their mission to

                  teach in order that students learn.

History of ET:

o   Pierre Abelard introduced a technology of instruction during the Middle Age of Scholastic Philosophy

o   Comenius, Pestalozzi, Froebel, Herbart, and Montessori contributed their own concepts on educational technology improving on the educative process

o   Modern instructional technology (Johann Amos Comenius)

o   Scientific theory of learning and scientific method (Thorndike and Dewey)

o   19^th C. - textbooks, use of blackboards and improvements in writing implements like pen and ink, visual instruction

o   1920 - Visual media became widely accepted; publication of audio- visual media texts

o   1926 - Educational films were used as instructional media

o   1927 - Pressev wrote on programmed learning through a machine which tested and confirmed a learning task

o   In 1932, the first instructional Television program was aired at the State University of Iowa

o    World War II - the U.S. government encouraged the implementation of technology instruction for military training programs

What is Information Communications Technology (ICT)?

            “ICT is a collection of diverse technological tools and resources used to communicate, to create, to disseminate, to store and to manage information” (Blurton, 2002). ICT is considered as a powerful and effective tool in the teaching-learning. It is briefly defined as relevant, good quality and engaging to students.

            To sum it up, Educational Technology and ICT are useful and authentic tools that can make the learning more active, interactive and engaging to students. They also develop skills like the communication skill, creative and critical skill, interpersonal skill and computer skills. With these tools, it will help the teacher to be effective and efficient in teaching. With the learners, ICT and ET develop their motivation; skills and it engage them in the teaching-learning process.

With the advancement of technology around the globe, it had not only affected the things around us but also with how our education works today. Before, the education was teacher- centered. Everything is done by the teacher. As the world evolved and continues to develop, education also changed. It became more engaging, creative and interactive and that is because of the development of technology. During my elementary and high school days, learning was more on lectures. Teachers gave everything to us or as we termed it “spoon feeding”. That is why during my elementary days, I was not able to develop my skills which affected my performance in high school. The same in high school, teachers were into the traditional way of teaching. I think college was the BANG! Because teachers are technology and outcomes-based oriented individuals. Like in our English classes, teachers incorporated technology in the activities and discussion they used PowerPoint presentation, video clips and audio materials, etc. which for me is far more effective than before. Today, teaching and learning became more engaging and interactive which results to a more effective and meaningful learning.

            Educational Technology and ICT are really a breath of fresh air. ET and ICT had brought new and innovative teaching and learning tools that are of great help to the students and to the teachers. With just a click everything is served but we should also make sure that our students will not be ruled by technology. The role of technology is just to help us and not to control and rule over us. Technology is made for man not man for technology. We should put limitations as to where we will use technology. Teachers will always and forever be the best.

As a student of Educational Technology, I will try my best to understand all the important things in this course so that I will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed in the 21^st century teaching. As a future teacher, I should be able to incorporate technology in the educative process since learners of the next generation are computer-oriented individuals. With this, I will be effective in addressing their needs and coping up with their new learning styles. Since learners are the center of education we should therefore meet their needs and interests and one way of doing that is to learn educational technology and ICT. I will also make sure that technology will never replace my role as a teacher because we teachers have a great part and responsibility towards our students. We act as both facilitators of knowledge and educator of values.