EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Educational technology, generally termed edtech, happens to actually be the study and moral apply of facilitating e-learning, that happens to actually be the learning and improving performance by making, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources. The words educational technology is typically related to, and encompasses, instructional theory and learning theory. Whereas instructional technology happens to actually be the theory and apply of design, development, utilization, management, and analysis of processes and resources for learning, in keeping with the association for educational communications and technology ( aect ) definitions and terminology committee, educational technology includes different systems used within the whole method of developing human capability. Educational technology includes, however isn't restricted to, software, hardware, furthermore as internet applications, an example would be wikis and blogs, and activities. Fact is that there remains debate on what these terms mean.

History of Educational technology starts with the introduction of educational films (1900s) or Sidney Pressey's mechanical teaching machines in the 1920s.

Educational technology is intended to improve education over what it would be without technology. Some of the claimed benefits are listed below:

• · Easy-to-access course materials. Instructors can post their course material or important information on a course website, which means students can study at a time and location they prefer and can obtain the study material very quickly.
• ·  Student motivation. Computer-based instruction that can give instant feedback to students and explain correct answers. Furthermore, a computer is patient and non-judgmental, which can give the student motivation to continue learning. According to James Kulik, who studies the effectiveness of computers used for instruction, students usually learn more in less time when receiving computer-based instruction and they like classes more and develop more positive attitudes toward computers in computer-based classes. The American educator, Cassandra B. Whyte, researched and reported about the importance of locus of control and successful academic performance and by the late 1980s, she wrote of how important computer usage and information technology would become in the higher education experience of the future.
• ·  Wide participation. Learning material can be used for long distance learning and are accessible to a wider audience.
• · Improved student writing. It is convenient for students to edit their written work on word processors, which can, in turn, improve the quality of their writing. According to some studies, the students are better at critiquing and editing written work that is exchanged over a computer network with students they know.
• · Subjects made easier to learn. Many different types of educational software are designed and developed to help children and teenagers to learn specific subjects. Examples include pre-school software, computer simulators, and graphics software.
• · A structure that is more amenable to measurement and improvement of outcomes. With proper structuring it can become easier to monitor and maintain student work while also quickly gauging modifications to the instruction necessary to enhance student learning.
• · Differentiated Instruction. Educational technology provides the means to focus on active student participation and to present differentiated questioning strategies. It broadens individualized instruction and promotes the development of personalized learning plans. Students are encouraged to use multimedia components and to incorporate the knowledge they gained in creative ways.