Lesson 1

Meaning of Educational Technology

Educational Technology- is the application of technology in educative process that takes place in the Educational Institutions.

Educational Technology-it refers to the use of all human inventions and discoveries to satisfy our educational need and desire, i. e., learning. These inventions and discoveries can be devices, tools, equipment, activities, procedures and processes.

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- is a field study which us concerned with the practice of using educational methods and resources for the ultimate goal of facilitating the learning process.(Lucido and Borabo,1997)

There are other terms that are associated with Educational Technology. These are the Technology in Education, Instructional Technology and Technology Integration. Are they synonymous to Educational Technology?

1. Technology in Education- is “the application of technology as any of those processes involved in operating the Institutions which house the educational enterprise. It includes the application of technology to food, health,  finance, scheduling, grade, reporting and other processes which support the education within the Institutions.(David H. Jonassen, et.al, 1999)

2. Instructional Technology- is a part of Educatinal Technolgy. It refers to those aspects of Educational Technology that “are concerned with instruction as contrasted in designs and operations of educational institutions. It is a systematic way of designing, carrying out and evaluating the total process of learning and teaching in terms specific objectives”. (Lucido and Borabo,1997)

3. Technology Integration- means using “learning technologies to introduce, reinforce, supplement and extend skills. Technology integration is part and parcel of instructional technology, which in turn is a part of educational technology.

“Benefits from Using Educational Technology”

1.    Increase the quality of learning and the degree of its mastery through the use of special effects of unique programming that are considered individualized, valid and accessible.

2.    Decrease the time spent in instruction for learners to achieve desired learning objectives.

3.    Increase efficiency of teachers.

4.    Reduce educational costs without affecting quality of instruction.

Guidelines in using educational Technology

Ø Determine the purpose for which the instructional materials are to be used.

Ø Define the objectives to determine the appropriateness of the material.

Ø Know the content of the material.

Ø Exercise flexibility so that the materials satisfy different purposes.

Ø Consider diversity/variety of materials.

Ø Relate materials to age, ability, maturity and interest of students.

Ø Arrange the conditions so that the materials do not interrupt the momentum of the lesson.

Ø Prepare the students for what they will see, hear and do as lessons unfold.

Ø Operate equipment needed for efficient use.

Ø Summarize experiences gained and follow up with relevant discussion.

Ø Evaluate the results of the use materials together with the instructional process, to determine effectiveness.

Commonly Used Media or Materials for Instruction

1.    Print Media/Materials- considered to be the most dominant and primary means of communicating subject matter to students. Examples are Books, Reference Book, Textbooks and Periodicals.

2.    Still Pictures and Graphics- useful means of expressing ideas, employ, lines, patterns, colors and shades to convey information. Examples are pictures, graphics(maps, diagrams, charts/graphs, tables, posters and cartoons) Visual Display Devices(chalkboards, whiteboard, magnetic board and bulletin board) Projection Devices such as Slide/filmstrip projectors, opaque projectors and overhead projectors.

3.    Sound Recordings and Radio- Phonograph Record, Audio Tapes, Compac Disc and Radio.

4.    Film and Television

5.    Video Recording- Videotapes and discs, Cables and satellites, Camcorders.

6.    Computer Based Learning (CBL)- enables the students to study almost anytime and convenient locations with varying ability levels, provides multimedia, interactive instruction, practice and testing that in turn helps teachers further in terms of diagnosis and guidance.

7.    The web.

General Principles or Criteria for Selecting Instructional Materials 

A.   Appropriateness- materials must catch the general and specific objectives of the lesson. It must be appropriate to the:

·         Difficulty of concept taught

·         Vocabulary level of students

·         Methods used in teaching

·         Interest of Learners

B.   Authenticity- material must present accurate, up-to-date and reliable information.

C.   Interest and Appeal to Users- materials must have the power to catch the interest of users, motivate them for learning and stimulate.

D.   Organization and Balance- materials must be very clear, well-organized, logically sequenced.

E.   Cost Effectiveness/Economy- materials used must be relative to the cost of other similar materials, their durability and the number of student users.

F.    Breadth- the scope of material must suit many different types of learners and learning purposes.

10 Guidelines fir Creating Learning Materials

1.    Do not overcrowd.

2.    Be consistent in format layout and convention.

3.    Use appropriate typefaces and point uses.

4.    Use bold and italics for emphasis but do not overuse them.

5.    Use titles, headings and subheadings to clarify and guide.

6.    Use numbers and letters to direct through sequences.

7.    Use graphics and illustrations to reinforce ideas.

8.    Use symbols an icons as identifying markers.

9.    Use color/audio/video/music to stimulate but not to overpower the senses.

10. Produce the materials with technical excellence-good quality, goo audio, clear and etc.