Role and significance of educational technology

 ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF EDUCATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY

The impact of extraordinary developments in the field of information and

communication technology (ICT) has been the strongest on education. The advent

of the new millennium brought with it the awareness of being part of one of the most

spectacular revolution of technology. This revolution of technology is most focused

on the areas of information technology, communication and multimedia. In general,

it signifies the start of an information society and therefore, plays a key role in

attributing education to every aspect of life. The purpose of educational technology

is also to promote the efficiency of education by improving the quality of teaching, of

educational administration, and of educational research. Some examples of significant

developments in this direction are given below.

 Wider participation: Technology has made it feasible for education to reach

across to wider audience. This is especially relevant for the Indian setup,

where the limitations of geographical, economic, physical and social nature

exist. The expansion of distance education at both, school and higher education

levels has helped in increasing the educational status of the country.

Educational technology has assumed an important role in expanding the

services of open education through institutes like, National Institute of Open

Schooling (NIOS) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

among others.

 Empowerment of learners: In traditional terms, a learner takes up a course

through a schedule of classes that are conducted at fixed venues, on fixed

days. The teacher or coordinator decides the speed and frequency of the

classes. The students’ requirements and mental levels are assumed by the

teacher. Nevertheless, different learners have different capacities of grasping.

Every person is not adapted to typical classroom sessions. Learning can be

transmitted in a number of ways by the use of technology. There are some

learners who find reading convenient and others who prefer audio-visual

presentations, group discussions and other interactive means. Technology

offers learners the choice to access course material through different media,

depending on their preferences. Technology can deliver learning in a way

that is most suitable for the individual such that every learner can enjoy a

unique learning experience.

Facilitate application of senses, memory and cognition: Learning needs

to be understood as a technique to demonstrate ability. This is in consonance

with Bloom’s Taxonomy, in which a blend of mind and body summarizes the

outcome of learning. However, the wants of human abilities are not sufficiently

fulfilled by modern teaching and learning conditions. This process is facilitated

by technology, for example, a learner can understand the universe through

video facilities, or make use of the Internet to learn about that which is beyond

his physical reach.

 Differentiated instruction: Educational technology calls for active

participation of students to use different strategies of questioning. It makes

individual instructions more generic and propels the growth of personal learning

strategies. There is ample motivation for learners to use different aspects of

multimedia and make creative use of the knowledge gained by them.

 Enhance teaching practices: In the formal system of education, learning

can never happen in isolation. This means that only by making information

and resources accessible to learners, we cannot consider the job as done.

Practically, our system of education runs on the belief that the progress of the

learner will be quicker when he/she is guided by a teacher (skilled instructor).

Educational technology assists and supports teachers in the teaching–learning

process.

 Improve learning outcomes: Technology, newer methods, incentives,

policies; everything planned for education would be a waste if the learning

outcomes are not improved. If new technology fails to bring about betterments,

then its use should be discontinued. Hence, educational technology has been

continuously trying out and exploring newer technologies: intelligent

classrooms, podcasts, Internet, and laptops. These efforts are directed at

making gradual changes in techniques and removal of defects. Educational

technology has thus enabled the teachers to improve learning outcomes.

 Continuing education (lifelong education): The rapid explosion of

knowledge has made it necessary for an individual to learn throughout his

life. Continuing education (Nirantar Shiksha) is absolutely necessary for

improving the quality of one’s life. This has been made possible only through

use of educational technology.

 Multiple learning resources: Traditional teaching conditions had limited

learning resources, but technological revolution has made it possible to present

multiple learning resources to the learners easily. Now, we find that a computer

not only presents visuals but also speaks to the learner. We also come across

many innovations in the field of telecommunications.

 Rapid adaptability of learning resources to learner’s needs: Generally,

learning resources available to learners were mostly impersonal (e.g., a static

textbook). These do not change according to the needs of a learner, at different

stages of learning. The changes in computer-linked learning resources, as

well as methods emerging out of new cognitive psychology and group dynamics

stream facilitate learning in different abilities. More and more integrated

innovations in educational technology are taking place, and designers of the

instructional system are rapidly incorporating newer developments in the field.

Programmed learning and personalized system of instruction are examples of

the same.

 Solving the problems systematically: Educational technology is a

continuous and comprehensive programme, providing a scientific basis to the

education system. It can work to remove intrinsic shortcomings of the system.

This can be done by use of demonstrations that are regularly broadcasted, or

through documents designed for pupils. Educational technology can make the

operation of schools slightly flexible. Nevertheless, it cannot be considered as

a miraculous solution for all problems in the educational system.

 Professional development of teachers: Educational technology offers a

number of possibilities for continued professional development of teachers.

In the changing scenario, the teacher cannot suffice with the pre-service

education that he/she has received. They need to continuously update

themselves with newer information and methods available. Educational

technology in its different forms has enabled teachers by providing them with

options like distance education, e-learning, online learning and other similar

forms of alternative education.

 Communication and support: Communication is the backbone of any form

of teaching–learning situation. Educational technology has proposed several

systems of communication for both formal and non-formal learning situations.

 For preservation of knowledge: Modern electronic gadgets provide

tremendous capabilities to preserve knowledge/information for future use,

including print media. Information can be preserved in the form of audio-

video programmes, computer software, videodiscs, and retrieved when

required. Thus, bulk of the information can be preserved electromechanically,

for instance, a videodisc is capable of preserving a complete set of

encyclopaedia.

 For transmission of knowledge: Use of modern media in education can

reach and teach students in any part of the globe. Radio and television

broadcasts can reach large number of students in different parts of the country.

Almost the entire country can be covered simultaneously through radio or

television networking systems. Communication satellites have added to the

effectiveness and efficacy of communication at a distance, and made it possible

to link more than one location and more than one group of students through

two-way talkback system.

 Optimum use of resources: The idea behind educational technology is not

maximization of resources but appropriate use of the resources available. It

should be understood that educational technology is not an end in itself but a

means to accomplish some educational and instructional objectives, already

determined and clearly defined. The objective is to make the whole teaching–

learning process more meaningful and effective for both learners and teachers.

 Future prospects in education sector: Career has become a priority for

students nowadays. For the development of their career, substitute means of

education such as distance and open learning, education on demand and other

such flexible models are necessary. This again emphasizes the role of

educational technology in the teaching–learning process.

Educational technology is enabling multi-modal teaching, changing curricula

and spawning rich forms of online research and collaboration. Exceptional prospects

of growth have been created by continuous advancements in educational technology.

This has deeply impacted the teaching capacity of teachers and the learning capacity

of learners. To develop a new learning culture, it is imperative for teachers to gain

expertise in Information & Communication Technology (ICT) skills and their

utilization. The amalgamation of technology should be driven by effective learning.

This makes it necessary to be in synchronization with technological developments to

build practicable solutions. Although, the availability of tools is in abundance, the

ability to use them for improving the learning experience should be clear.

Moreover, when educational technology develops, it will give rise to the

prospect of creating and recreating new types of educational institutions in future. It

would help in reducing wastage of both physical resources and human resources to

a minimum (Mohanty, 2006). Further, educational technology has value only to the

extent that it actively assists learners in obtaining knowledge and skills, as has been

said in the Encyclopaedia of Education. The Encyclopaedia of Education also

mentions: ‘Whether any particular device is functionally more efficient than any

other will depend primarily upon whether the device is compatible with the dynamics

of the learning process, the prior experience of the learner with the body of materials

to be presented and the learners’ physical, attitudinal and motivational preconditioning

for use of hardware, software and the particular response mode of the equipment’.

In essence it can be said that educational technology can contribute to

qualitative as well as quantitative improvement of education. There is a silver line to

this aspect as observed by the International Commission on Education (1973),

‘Educational technology is not just an apparatus to be clamped on to a conventional

system, to add or multiply traditional procedures. It can only be of value if it is really

integrated into the entire system and if it leads us to rethink and renovate it’.

Schools still need to go a long way in exploring the depth of educational

technology. Educators now view technology as a means to explore and create.

Even students, who are not doing well, can improve and succeed with the help of

educational technology. It develops self-esteem and transforms the reluctance to

learn into motivation. Students are empowered through multiple and convenient means

of learning and a learning environment that is psychologically stable (Wesley, 2004).

SUMMARY

 History has revealed that technology strengthens the hands of a teacher and

makes his/her teaching more effective. Education has been benefited by

technology in various ways and at various levels.

 The 21st century has been named as ‘age of knowledge’ and there is no way

in which one can deny the role of technology in different aspects of our lives.

Like other fields, education too has been deeply impacted by technological

revolution. This interface of education and technology is popularly known as

educational technology.

 Educational technology is the use of those audio-visual devices in training,

which are based on modern technology, e.g., use of computer stimulators,

television, radio, video-tape, etc.

 The roots of educational technology lead us to the time when early tools had

come to exist, e.g., paintings on cave walls.

 Educational technology has the following prime objectives:

o To modernize learning methods and techniques according to the changing

world

o To bring desirable changes in the behaviour of teachers and pupils by

improving teaching, learning and evaluation conditions

o To make classroom teaching clear, effective, objective and scientific

 ‘Technology in education’ refers to the use of technological hardware in

education. Here, more importance is given to the media used for carrying a

message.

 Professor Henry Ellington (1993) opined that the key function of educational

technology is to bring about improvements in the general competence and

efficacy of the teaching–learning process.

 Educational technology performs the twin functions of a tool and a catalyst.

The three commonly accepted types of educational technologies are: (i)

teaching technology, (ii) behavioural technology and (iii) instructional

technology.

 Teaching technology is that form of educational technology, which is concerned

with making the process of teaching more systematic.

 Behavioural technology is a vital constituent of educational technology. It

emphasizes that psychosomatic values be used in learning and teaching. The

motive is to change the behaviour of the teachers and pupils to match with

the objectives of teaching.

 The hardware approach implies the use of mechanical materials and equipment

in the domain of education.

 The software approach or software technology of education owes its origin

to behavioural sciences and their applied aspects concerned with the

psychology of learning.

Systems analysis or approach is a term used to describe the systematic

application of educational technology to an educational or training problem

starting with the input (entry behaviour) and output (terminal behaviour) and

determining how best to progress from the former to the latter.

 Media includes such things as prints, graphics, photography, audio-

communication, television, simulating games and computer.

 Audio-visual aids or devices or technological media or learning devices are

additional devices that help the teacher to clarify, establish, co-relate and co-

ordinate accurate concepts, interpretations and appreciations and enable him

to make learning more concrete, effective, interesting, inspirational, meaningful

and vivid.

 The epidiascope is an instrument which can project images or printed matter

or small opaque objects on a screen.

 Three dimensional aids serve as good substitutes for the real objects. Models

diagrams, mock-ups and specimens are the important three dimensional aids.

 A film is a multiple media of communication. It presents facts in a realistic

way, dramatizes human relations, arouses emotions and transmits attitudes. It

may be used for the communication of ideas, attitudes and experiences to the

masses of people.

 The Children’s Film Society India (CFSI) was established in 1955 as an

autonomous body with the objectives of promoting and encouraging the Children

Film Movement in the country. It also aims at providing children and the

young people, films with clean and healthy entertainment.

 The impact of extraordinary developments in the field of information and

communication technology (ICT) has been the strongest on education. The

advent of the new millennium brought with it the awareness of being part of

one of the most spectacular revolution of technology.

 In the changing scenario, the teacher cannot suffice with the pre-service

education that he/she has received. They need to continuously update

themselves with newer information and methods available. Educational

technology in its different forms has enabled teachers by providing them with

options like distance education, e-learning, online learning and other similar

forms of alternative education.

 Use of modern media in education can reach and teach students in any part

of the globe. Radio and television broadcasts can reach large number of

students in different parts of the country.

1.1 KEY TERMS

 Educational technology: The application of scientific knowledge and learning

and the conditions of learning, to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of

teaching and training is termed as educational technology.

Technology in education: ‘Technology in education’ refers to the use of

technological hardware in education. Here, more importance is given to the

media used for carrying a message.

 Technology of education: ‘Technology of education’ can be referred to as

a purposeful utilization, in combination or separately, of objects, techniques,

devices, events and relationships to increase the effectiveness of educational

purpose.

 Behavioural technology: Behavioural technology is a vital constituent of

educational technology. It emphasizes that psychosomatic values be used in

learning and teaching.

 Instructional technology: The application of modern skills and techniques

to requirements of education and training (instruction). This includes the

facilitation of learning by manipulation of media and methods and the control

of environment’.

 Systems analysis/approach: Systems analysis or approach is a term used

to describe the systematic application of educational technology to an

educational or training problem starting with the input (entry behaviour) and

output (terminal behaviour) and determining how best to progress from the

former to the latter.

 Gestalt psychology: Gestalt psychology or gestaltism

(German: Gestalt [aYȃtalt] ‘shape, form’) is a theory of mind of the Berlin

School. Gestalt psychology tries to understand the laws of our ability to acquire

and maintain meaningful perceptions in an apparently chaotic world.

 Audio-visual aids: Audio-visual aids are those sensory objects which initiate

or stimulate learning.

 Chart: A chart is a combination of pictorial, graphic, numerical or vertical

material which presents a clear visual summary.

 Epidiascope: The epidiascope is an instrument which can project images or

printed matter or small opaque objects on a screen.

 Graphs: Graphs are flat pictures which employ dots, lines or pictures to

visualize numerical and statistical data to show relationships or statistics.

 Micro-projector: The combination of a microscope and a slide projector is

an instrument called micro-projector.

 Overhead projector: Overhead projector is a device that can project a

chart, a diagram, a map, a table or for that matter, anything written on

transparent plates, upon a screen or the white wall before students in a class.

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