The history of educational technology

The history of Educational Technology

Benedetti LudmilaNappi Daiana

• Software

• Hardware

• Internet applications

• Activities.

The study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.

It includes, but is not limited to:

History of Educational TechnologyThe first ones to manage instructional media were school museums.

Their purpose was to collect and loan:

• portable museum exhibits

• films

• photographs

• charts

• stereographic slides, etc

Some of the reasons :

First decade of XX century: silent films for instructional use.

They never reached the level of influence in schools that had been predicted.

• Teachers' lack of skill in using equipment and film

• The cost of films, equipment, and upkeep

• Inaccessibility of equipment when it was needed

• The time involved in finding the right film for each class

Films

Radio

• Schools

• Colleges

• Commercial stations

• Departments of education

1920 : commercial and educational stations

Soon, radio programming provided by:

Efforts to promote radio instruction in schools were abandoned when television became available.

Television1950s and the 1960s: Instructional television was the focus of attention. Because:

• There were 242 television channels for educational purposes

• The Ford Foundation’s investment (more than $170 million) in educational television.

→ rapid development of educational television stations→ Aim: To provide instructional programs to school system in their viewing area.

1970s: much of the enthusiasm: exhausted

ComputersThe earliest work (1950 and 1960) had little impact on schools1980s → microcomputers → Educators and public officials became enthusiastic

1983 → 40% of elementary schools and 75% of secondary schools (US)

However → Students had only limited access to computers

Technologies used in traditional classrooms

Computer in the classroomClass websiteClass blogs and wikisWireless classroom microphonesMobile devicesSmartBoardsOnline mediaDigital gamesPodcasts

Benefits

Easy-to-access course materials

Student motivation

Wide participation

Improved student writing

Subjects made easier to learn

Differentiated instruction

DrawbacksLack of proper training

Limited access to sufficient quantities of a technologyExtra time required

→ Tecnhology is the means, not the goal

→ Teachers also need an alternative lesson

Bibliography

Wikipedia (Revised on April, 19th, 2011), “Educational technology” [online]. Retrieved on April, 19th, 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_technology

“School Technology in Education” [online]. Retrieved on April, 12th, 2011 from http://www.answers.com/topic/school-technology-in-education