Monday, January 29, 2007

Educational Technology Philosophy

Definition of Educational/Instructional Technology

Educational Technology is the ability to provide instruction through a variety of multimedia formats. According to Francis Dwyer, these multimedia formats include audio, video, computing, print, and combinations. Some examples of audio formats include compact discs and online conferences. Video utilizes various types of televised formats. Some computing technologies include email, chat and various online multimedia. Print formats are usually utilized through handouts. Finally, educational technologies often utilize a combination of each of the formats (Dwyer 1999, p. 249). All of these formats allow individuals to come together and learn a subject from a variety of locations through a computer.

The instructor and students have important duties with educational technology. The instructor should serve as a facilitator of learning by creating objectives which will be taught to the class. The instructor then explains concepts and provides background information in order to help students gain knowledge to learn each objective. The students’ role is to learn how to utilize each concept taught and serve as a learning community by sharing their experiences and providing additional resources that they have located in their individuals research.

Individuals learn from a variety of methods. Some learn through a constructivist approach. As a result, they associate past experiences with new knowledge. Some individuals learn concepts through passive or lecture style formats. As a result, one of the roles of the instructor when utilizing educational technology is designing the course to accommodate the different learning styles

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