REFLECTION

Chapter 1: History of Educational Theory

Reflection

Educational technology, sometimes shortened to EduTech or EdTech, is a wide field. Therefore, one can find many definitions, some of which are conflicting. Educational technology as an academic field can be considered either as a design science or as a collection of different research interests addressing fundamental issues of learning, teaching and social organization. Educational technology as practice refers to any form of teaching and learning that makes use of technology.

The great tech minds tasked with creating the data-driven processes and applications that facilitate learning may understand solution-implementation–but they can’t stand in for educators when it comes to disseminating knowledge. Conversely, strong educators aren’t necessarily equipped or inclined to deal with all the technology available to them and develop ways to apply it to their discipline. They will be the first to tell you that there are enough challenges in their day-to-day work without our asking them to become IT experts, as well.

Educators should not be replaced by the different and new strategies in connection with the technologies. Yet, we must also go with the trend. We must not limit ourselves to the different teaching opportunities. However, we should not forget that the hands-on teacher is much more meaningful than the one who always rely on technologies without doing his/her responsibility as an educator.