UNIT I: EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

            Educational technology too is a new area like educational philosophy, educational sociology, educational psychology, measurement and evaluation in education. It must be remembered that educational technology provides the basis for the planning and organisation of resources for learning and helps in achieving the teaching objectives.

ORIGIN OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

            In nineteenth century, educational technology existed in the form of educational toys and other learning tactics. But its frequent use started in 1926. In Ohio state university, it was used in the form of as teaching machine by Sidney Presscy. Around 1930-40, Lumsdain and Glaser tried to make education mechanical by presenting some special types of scrambled books, cards and boards. The most important work was carried out during 1950 when B.F. Skinner developed Programmed Learning. In 1950, Brynmor, in England, used educational technological steps for the first time. In 1960, other countries also started progressing in the field of educational technology. Thus, the beginning of educational technology took place in 1950 from USA and USSR and it has reached England, Europe and India. Besides, radio, tape-recorder, television, computer, CCTV, electronic video tapes and other audio-visual aids, many other technologies are being used in education. The development of these devices has helped in the field of teaching technology, models & designs. The process of teaching has been mechanised. Various types of machines are being used through which, an effective teacher may teach a large group of the students. The concept of educational technology has developed as a result of mechanisation of teaching.

MEANING OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

            Educational technology means the systematic application of scientific knowledge for the fulfilment of educational objectives. It is a system in education in which machines, materials, media, men and methods are interrelated and work together for the attainment of educational goals.

            Simply, Educational technology is the mechanization of educational process.

·         Educational technology concentrates on the psychological principles.

·         Educational technology emphasizes on individual differences.

·         Educational technology takes into consideration the development of social anthropology.

·         Educational technology is definitely a technique.

DEFINITION OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY        

·         “Educational Technology is the form of detailed application of psychology of learning to practical teaching problems.” – John P Dececco

·         “Educational technology is the application of scientific process to man’s learning conditions.” – Robert A Cox.

·         “Educational technology is that branch of educational theory and practice concerned primarily with the design and use of messages which control the learning process.” – E.E.Hadden

·         “Educational Technology is a systematic, interactive process for designing instruction or training used to improve performance.” – (Walden, 2006)

·         “The use of technology in educational settings, whether it be elementary and secondary school, colleges and universities, corporate training sites, or independent study at home.” – Williams, Mehlinger, Powers, Baldwin, 2006

SCOPE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

            The scope of education is as wide as education itself. Its scope ranges from concrete educational process to the most abstract. It includes the use of hardware, software and system analysis in various educational areas. The scope of educational technology is as follows:

i.                    Analysis of the process of teaching and learning

ii.                  Development of the curriculum

iii.                Development of teaching-learning material

iv.                 Teacher-training

v.                   Development and selection of the teaching-learning strategies

vi.                 Development, selection and use of the appropriate audio-visual aids

vii.               Effective utilization of the hardware and mass media.

i.                    Analysis of the process of teaching and learning

·         Educational technology tries to discuss the concept of teaching, analysis of teaching process, variables of teaching, phases of teaching, levels of teaching, theories of teaching and principles of teaching.

·         It also deals with the concept of learning, theories of learning and relationship between teaching and learning.

ii.                  Development of the curriculum

·         In the present technological and psychological age, the application of scientific and technological knowledge is much essential for the curriculum construction.

·         Curriculum construction has become a very tedious job in the fields of education.

·         Designing of a suitable curriculum for the achievement of the educational objectives is the need of any educational process.

·         The curriculum construction can be simplified with the help of educational technology.

iii.                Development of teaching-learning materials

·         Educational technology is concerned with the production and development of the suitable teaching-learning materials.

·         Developing software and instructional aids are done.

·         Like programmed learning, mass media, instructional materials, etc.

iv.                Development, selection and use of appropriate audio-visual aids

·         Teaching-learning is greatly influenced and benefited through the use of appropriate audio-visual aids.

·         Educational technology covers this aspect by discussing various types of audio-visual aids used in the educational purposes.

v.                  Teacher training

·         Teachers are the key factor in any process of teaching-learning.

·         Educational technology takes care of the proper preparation of the teachers for exercising their complex responsibilities.

·         Educational technology includes topics like micro-teaching, simulated teaching, team-teaching, modification of teacher behavior, classroom interaction and interaction analysis, etc.

vi.                Development and selection of the teaching-learning strategies

·         Educational technology tries to describe the ways and means of discovering, selecting and developing suitable strategies of teaching.

vii.              Effective utilization of the hardware and mass media

·         Various instruments, equipments communication devices and electronics items are playing an effective role in the attainment of educational objectives by helping the teacher and learner in their respective roles.

·         Educational technology describes the functions, applicability in particular teaching-learning situation, proper handing, maintenance, preparation and development of the hardware.

TECHNOLOGY OF EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION

Educational technology is broadly classified into the following two heads:

1.      Technology of Education

2.      Technology in Education

Educational Technology

Technology of Education                                          Technology in Education

TECHNOLOGY OF EDUCATION

            Technology of education is inherent in education. It refers to the application of behavioural sciences like psychology of educational theories and practical teaching-learning problems, instruction and motivation, etc.

            It is concerned with the study of educational problems and the techniques to be used in solving those problems so that the best results are achieved. Broadly speaking, technologies of planning, financing and administration are also covered under the concept of technology of education.

            Techniques of curriculum planning, transacting and evaluating also come under the same concept.

            The following techniques are used in order to meet the objectives of the concept.

i.                    Analysis of instructional problems

ii.                  Selection of instruments for evaluation

iii.                Selection of strategies to obtain the desired result from the teaching-learning process

iv.                 Teacher behavior

v.                   Programmed learning

vi.                 System analysis

TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION

The term ‘Technology in Education’ is a service concept like technology in the service of agriculture of farmers, or science in the service of mankind. It refers to the use of equipments and machines for educational purposes.

It involves the use of a wide range of audio visual equipments, hardware and sophisticated electronic devices like film, projectors, radio, television, tape recorder, teaching machines, computers, Internet, etc.

Educational technology as explained earlier is a wider term as compared to technology in education. It includes hardware approach, software approach and system approach. Technology in Education refers to the application of Engineering principles and technology in the process of education. Basically it is known as hardware technology.

Silverman referred to technology in education as a relative technology and technology of education as constructive educational technology.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY OF EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION

SL.NO	AREA	TECHNOLOGY OF EDUCATION	TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION
1.	Basis	It is based on child psychology (age, ability and mental level).	It is based on the principles of physical sciences or engineering sciences.
2.	Approach	It is software approach to education.	It is hardware approach to education.
3.	Origin	Its origin lies in the application of behavioural sciences to the problems of learning and motivation.	Its origin lies in the application of physical sciences or engineering to education.
4.	Nature	It is inherent in education itself.	It receives inputs from outside.
5.	Contents	Analysis of instructional problems, learning aids and three-dimensional objects.	Hardware, different types of projectors, audio-visual aids.
6.	Examples	System analysis, teacher behaviour, management of teaching-learning programme instruction.	TV, radio, projectors, etc.
7.	Relation	It is related to learning aids.	It is related to teaching aids.
8.	Requirement	The use of this approach does not require skilled personnel as in hardware technology.	Skilled personnel in hardware technology are required.
9.	Flexibility	This approach is very flexible. The material can be reorganized according to the needs of the learner.	This approach is relatively rigid.
10.	Type	It is called constructive educational technology.	It is called relative technology.
11.	Contribution to the educational system	This approach is very helpful in understanding the need of the learners and educating them accordingly.	It is useful in mass education programmes.
12.	Cost	It is less costly.	It is expensive.
13.	Use of electricity	May not require electricity.	Use of electricity is more or less indispensable.

NEED FOR EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN SCHOOLS

            The following are the need and importance of educational technology.

1.      Improvement of the teaching learning process

2.      Individualized Instruction

3.      Improvement in the quality of teaching

4.      Meeting the problem of Mass Education

5.      Equalizing Educational Opportunity

6.      Providing Distance Education

7.      Providing Correspondence Education

8.      Creation of interesting learning situation

9.      Improvement of school administration

1.      Improvement of the teaching learning process

Nowadays technology is being considered as an essential tool of education. Some years ago, students used to carry heavy books to school or they had to go to libraries when they were assigned a homework or project work or research work.

Fortunately many things have changed regarding this. Technology has created our education an easier and interactive process. Students can store a lot of information in computer than books and papers. They can also search information in Internet rather than libraries. In fact technology has had a great impact in our educational process that promotes students’ interest and motivation to learn in different environment.

2.      Individualized Instruction

Good teaching enables the child learns by his own efforts. Programmed Instruction is a part of educational technology. Educational technology is very helpful in individualizing instruction by enabling us to make use of self-instructional programmes.

3.      Improvement in the quality of teaching

Educational technology assists in the improvement of teaching-learning process by enabling us to use more varied, rich and motivational programmes through TV and other media.

4.      Meeting the problem of Mass Education

Mass education means providing education for all the people. If we provide education for all, we will meet a lot of problems. In such a condition, educational technology helps in using programmes developed by experts for a large population of students with the use of computers and television, etc.

5.      Equalizing Educational Opportunity

Educational technology assists us in making efforts for equalizing educational opportunities irrespective of caste, creed, sex, economic, social and geographical status of the learners.

6.      Providing Distance Education

Educational technology is very helpful in distance education. It involves the use of a combination of media for the instructional purposes and provides the facilities for out of school education in quite flexible way at any place and any time in the life of a person.

7.      Providing Correspondence Education

Educational technology helps a lot in correspondence education. Today the well planned and systematically developed correspondence courses are being provided by a number of universities in our country. In these courses students may be approached through instructional materials, students’ response sheet, personal contact programme and radio instructions.

8.      Creation of interesting learning situation

Educational technology can make the teaching-learning process an enjoyable one. It is psychologically very sound for students.

9.      Improvement of school administration

Educational technology helps us to analyse the problems of school administration scientifically leading to improvement in the system.