Educational Technologies

Can you at this very moment explain the term technology? Can you actually give ten examples of technologies used in education (for teaching and learning purposes)? The figure above illustrates four definitions for educational technology. The most common conceptualisation that is obtained is that of technology as whatever tangible media/means that is used to communicate a concept and as computers and other related electronic resources and devices that are used.

Educational technologies, nonetheless, are embedded in all aspects of teaching and learning. From the learning theories that guide the way educators stage the physical learning environment and contexts, to the varieties of learning resources and materials that facilitate the more efficient and effective presentation of information, technology is flaunting its appropriateness in the classroom.

A good example is the use of gaming as an instructional technique; the matching strategy activities follow through playing the game to achieve set objectives of a lesson. Think about how interested, fascinated and motivated pupils become, when they view having to learn a concept as fun as playing 'hide and seek' in the playground.Teaching strategies, methods and techniques can be designed in such a way that technology is included as an integral part of lesson delivery, almost seamlessly and effortlessly.

Objectives, as well, can be created with a dash of technology as a condition (as in the A,B,C,D of objectives) relative to the outcome. Using a calculator, pupils should be able to add correctly at least six of eight (or with 75 percent accuracy) five-digit numbers with other five-digit numbers which involves regrouping. Can you identify the technology being used in the objective just stated and the advantages that it will transmit?

Presented were only two examples of technology being interwoven into the teaching and learning situation. Let us get a bit more practical. Click on this LINK to view a PowerPoint presentation in which you can identify a plethora of educational technologies. While you are there, you can view other PowerPoint Presentations which I have helped to create and deliver while studying Teacher Education at TAMCC 2oo8-2010.