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TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING [ONC2]

Objectives
After going through this module, you will be able to:
 explain the concept of Educational Technology
 understand the objectives of Educational Technology
 explain the types of Educational Technology
 analyse the uses of Educational Technology

1.1 Introduction
Educational technology is a systematic application of relevant technological processes
and resources in teaching, with a goal to improve students' performance. It involves a
disciplined approach to identifying the needs of students, applying technology in
instructions, and tracking their performance.
1.2 Concept of Educational Technology
The word ‘Education’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Educatum’, which means ‘To
bring out’. In the sense, the meaning of Education is to bring out the better qualities of
an individual.
The word ‘Technology’ is derived from the two Greek words namely, ‘Technic’ and
‘Logia’. ‘Technic’ means ‘art or skill’. ‘Logia’ means ‘science or study’. So the
simplest meaning of ‘Technology’ is “Science of study of an art or skill”.
1.3 Meaning of Educational Technology
There are three views regarding the meaning of educational technology. The first
view which may call Educational Technology 1 (ET 1) refers to the application of
physical sciences and engineering technology to provide mechanical instruments
or “hardware” approach which can be used for instructional purposes. This is the
view of James O. Finn and others (1960). E.g. Tape-recorders (including language
laboratory), television, teaching machines and computer- based teaching.
The second view which we may call Educational Technology 2 (ET 2) refers to the
application of scientific principles or ‘software approach’ to instruction. This is the
view of Skinner, Gagne and others.
The third and the modern view of Educational Technology 3 (ET 3) as described
by Davis and Hartley (1972), incorporates both (ET1,ET2) through the application of
a ‘system approach’ to education and training
1.4 Definitions of Educational Technology
Educational Technology focuses on “the technological tools and media that assist in
the communication of knowledge, and its development and exchange.” Another
essential definition of educational technology focuses on the theory and practice of
utilizing new technology to develop and implement innovative educational
approaches to learning and student achievement.
John. P. Dececoo defines Educational Technology, as "Educational Technology is a
form of detailed application of Psychology of learning practical teaching problems”.
“Educational technology may be defined as the application of the laws as well as
recent discoveries of science and technology to the process of education” – S. S.
Kulkarni.
“Educational technology is the application of scientific process to man’s learning
conditions” – Robert A. Cox.
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“Educational technology is an application of scientific knowledge about learning to

practical learning situation” – Bloomer
1.5 Objectives of Educational Technology
 To systematize the teaching and learning methods and techniques in a modernized
way.
 To bring desirable modification or changes in the behaviour of the teacher and
pupils modifying the teaching, learning and evaluation system according to the
need of the situation.
 To provide valuable help in the teaching-learning process so that best possible
result can be-achieved in an economic way.
 To help human beings in their continuous progress by providing various facilities
for solving the most complicated problems of their life.
1.6 Types of Educational Technology
There are three types of educational technology: 1. Synchronous and Asynchronous, 2. Linear
learning, and 3.Collaborative Learning. Let’s discuss these educational technology types in detail.
Synchronous = happens at the same time. Asynchronous = doesn't happen at the same
time.
Synchronous Learning, as the name, means, ‘existing or occurring simultaneously‘,
refers to discussing thoughts and information regarding certain topics with others
simultaneously. Some examples are where people are online and working jointly, like
face-to-face discussions, chats rooms or virtual classrooms, live teaching and
feedback sessions, Skype conversations, etc.
Asynchronous Learning means ‘not in real-time’. So, Asynchronous Learning is
mainly done through blogs, emails, online textbooks, audio/video courses, hypertext
documents, wikis, etc.. If the student don’t understand the lesson at once, they can
read it again without falling behind in the class.
Linear Learning: Linear Learning is the second type of educational technology. Linear
Learning is all about Computer-Based Training (CBT), where the information about
the Programme is sent to students’ computers, tablets, or smart phones. It looks much
like reading an online manual or book.
Collaborative Learning: Collaborative means ‘to work with another person or group
to achieve or do something, so Collaborative Learning is how learning is done in
groups by working together. Problem-solving, learning new concepts or completing
tasks are, provided in groups of two or more to work together. In this way, individuals
can learn through collecting data, listening to others’ thoughts rather than simply
learning the provided resources.
1.7 Uses of Educational Technology
Educational technology is a systematic application of relevant technological processes
and resources in teaching, with a goal to improve students' performance. Software
programme like programmed learning material can make mass education easily
available. Almost all types of courses considering the age level of the student can be
programmed. It makes curriculum construction and selection of teaching-learning
strategies easy and also makes teaching-learning more effective. Educational
Technology helps in improving quality of teaching by providing varied types of
programmes through TV and other media. Educational Technology motivates children
for learning. Educational Technology makes provision for self-instructional materials,
which provide opportunities to both the gifted and backward children to proceed at his
own rate of speed in the learning process.
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1.8 Approaches to Educational technology

HARDWARE APPROACH:
The hardware approach is based on the application of engineering principles for developing
electro-mechanical equipment for instructional purposes. Motion pictures, tape recorders,
television, teaching machines, computers are called educational hardware.

Hardware approach mechanises the process of teaching so that teachers would be able to deal
with more students with less expenditures in educating them.
Human knowledge has three aspects:

 Preservation,
 Transmission and
 Development.
The history of preservation of the knowledge is believed to exist since the printing machines
started. The knowledge is preserved with these machines in the form of books which are
shelved in the libraries, tape recorders and films.
The second aspect of human knowledge is its transmission. A teacher can impart knowledge
himself to his pupils. Nowadays, transmission of the knowledge is supported by machine like
mike, radio and television. With these, thousands of pupils enjoy this home-delivery of such
benefits.
The third aspect of human knowledge is its development. For this aspect, provisions are
made for research work. In the research programmes, the main function is the collection and
analysis of data. For this purpose, presently the researcher uses the electronic machines and
computers. Hence, all the three aspects of knowledge allow the use of machines. In short, the
teaching process has been mechanized. The mechanization of teaching process is termed as
the Hardware Approach.
Software approach
software approach is originated from behavioral sciences and its applied aspects
which are concerned with psychology of learning. It is also referred to as instructional
technology, teaching technology and/or behavior technology. It denotes technology of
education. It is a process- oriented approach to produce suitable teaching-learning
material, strategies and techniques for the optimum results in the teaching-learning
process on the basis of knowledge and principles of psychology of learning.

System Approach

The System Approach focuses first upon the learner and then course content, learning
experiences and effective media and instructional strategies. Such a system
incorporates within itself the capability of providing continuous self-correction and
improvement. It is concerned with all elements of instruction including media,
including hardware and software. Its purpose is to ensure that the components of the
organic whole will be available with the proper characteristics at the proper time to
contribute to the total system fulfilling the objectives.
Summary
The tremendous explosion of knowledge has changed the very phase of teaching-
learning process of education. Teaching learning strategies can be selected easily with the
help of educational technology. Educational technology tries to find out the educational needs
and aspirations of the community and the resources available in that community for the
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fulfilment of these needs and aspirations. Educational technology tries to design the
curriculum suitably for achieving the desired objectives.

Check Your Understanding

Multiple Choice Questions:
1. ________ comes from the Greek word “technic” which means an art or skill
(a) Technique
(b) Technology
(c) Technician
(d) Telegram

2. “Educational technology is the application of scientific process to man’s learning

conditions”- It is put forth by ______
(a) Robert A. Cox
(b)Bloomer
(c) John.P.Dececoo
(d)S. S. Kulkarni

3. A systematic application of relevant technological processes and resources in

teaching is called ______
(a) Communication Technology
(b) Information Technology
(c) Educational technology
(d) Block chain Technology

4. Educational technology involves

(a) Software approach
(b) Hardware approach
(c) System approach
(d) All the above

5. It refers to how people use their inventions and discoveries to satisfy their educational
needs and desire in learning
(a)Educational technology
(b)Colloborative learning
(c)Information technology
(d)Facilitative learning

Answers to MCQs
1. (b) Technology
2. (a) Robert A. Cox.
3. (c) Educational technology
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4. (d) All the above

5. (a) Educational technology

References
Agarwal, J.C. (2003). Educational Technology and Management, Vinod Pustak Mandir.
Agarwal, R. (2001). Educational Technology and Conceptual Understanding. Prabhat Prakashan.
Brown, J. W., R. B. and Hercheroad, A. V. (1977). Instruction Technology Media and
Method.McGraw Hill Book Company, 1977.
Chand, T. (2002). Educational Technology. Anmol Publication.
https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/what-is-educational-technology-definition-examples-impact/

Module Prepared by: Dr. V. Sharmila, Asst. Professor & Department of Educational Technology, TNTEU,
Chennai.