Teaching and Learning with Technology - An Introduction

What is Technology?

• Technology refers to advancements in methods, processes, and tools used to solve problems or achieve goals.
• In education, this ranges from low-tech tools like pencils and chalkboards to high-tech tools such as tablets, smartboards, and online learning platforms.
• Technology is a tool that enhances education but does not replace it.

Importance of Technology in Education

• Prepares students for future careers that rely on tech and wireless tools.
• Addresses diverse learning styles including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
• Encourages active interaction among students.
• Equips students with skills needed in real-world work environments.
• Keeps students engaged and motivated.
• Creates a positive classroom atmosphere.
• Speeds up access to updated information.
• Builds responsibility and independence in students.
• Breaks the tradition of passive, one-way learning.
• Opens doors to global databases, information, and communication.

Defining Basic Concepts

• Instructional Materials: Any resource used during the teaching-learning process to help students acquire knowledge, skills, or opinions.
  • Includes textbooks, flashcards, real objects (realia), videos, e-books, etc.
  • Organizes and supports instruction.
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT): A major breakthrough that changed human life and education.
  • Integrates computers, mobile devices, the internet, and communication systems to access, manage, and create information.
  • Helps develop critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Educational Technology: Use of technology specifically in educational settings, both non-digital (charts, flashcards) and digital (smartboards, LMS).
• Digital Literacy: The ability to discover, assess, use, share, and generate information using digital technologies and the internet.
• Digital Learning: Instructional practice using technology to enrich student experiences — either online, offline, blended, or virtual.

Evolution Timeline of Technology in Instruction

• 1600: Quill Pens and Slates – Early one-room schoolhouses used these materials to teach writing and ciphering.
• 1700: Primers – The New England Primer remained the basic school text for 100 years after its publication.
• 1826: Wall Charts – Passages were printed in large letters and hung in Lancastrian schools to save the cost of individual books.
• 1855: Models – With the introduction of kindergarten in Wisconsin, models and materials were given to students to manipulate and learn from.
• 1901: Manipulatives – Maria Montessori’s kinesthetic approach offered a variety of manipulatives for student learning.
• 1904: Educational Museums – The visual-education movement resulted in educational museums with visual displays.
• 1910: Films – Edison predicted books would become obsolete after inventing motion pictures.
  • Public schools in New York City implemented films for instruction.
  • Edward Thorndike helped establish education as a science.
• 1914: Behaviorism Theory – John Watson helped establish behaviorism.
• 1929: Radio – The Ohio “School of the Air” broadcast instructions to homes.
• 1933: Objectives in Education – Ralph Tyler developed and refined procedures for writing objectives at Ohio State University.
• 1940 – 1945: Instructional Technologists – Need for expertise in both education and technology grew, leading to the emergence of professional instructional technologists.
• 1945: Multiple Media used by Military Armed Forces – Training used films, sound, graphics, models, and print.
• 1953: ITV – The University of Houston launched KUHT, the first non-commercial education station.
• 1956: Bloom’s Taxonomy – Benjamin Bloom's team identified and articulated levels of cognition.
• 1957: Programmed Instruction – Instruction materials based on Skinner’s behaviorism were used at the Mystic School in Winchester, Massachusetts.
• 1965: Instructional Design System – Robert Gagné introduced a model for a systems approach to designing instruction.
• 1967: PBS and NER – The Public Broadcasting Act established the Public Broadcasting Service and National Educational Radio.
• 1970: Cognitive Approach – Cognitivists including Ausubel, Bruner, Gagné dominated thinking about learning.
• 1977: Personal Computers – The first microcomputer, the Apple, was created by Steve Wozniak & Steve Jobs.
• 1980: CAI – Computer-assisted instruction on personal computers reached its peak of popularity.
• 1990: Constructivist Approach – The influence of Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky led to the emergence of the constructivist view of learning.
  • Computer-based technologies increased the technologies available.
  • Virtual Reality allows teachers and students to “experience” a given reality through digital representations.
• 1990: Digital Assistants – Intelligent agents help people interact with equipment and cyberspace.
• 1991: World Wide Web – The Internet became accessible with the creation of the Web by Tim Berners-Lee.
• 2003: Mobile Devices – Smartphones, netbooks, and handheld PCs joined with wireless networking to make mobile computing commonplace.
• 2008 and beyond: Online Life – The Internet expands to include Web 2.0, featuring social networking.
  • The Grid will make it possible to dynamically pool and share computer resources.

Key Differences: Technology “In”, “Of”, “For” Education

• Technology in Education: Use of tech tools in existing teaching practices (e.g., using a projector during a Science lecture).
• Technology of Education: Technology as a system or methodology for organizing and improving education. Focus on studying educational processes and designing better ways to deliver learning.

• Examples:
  • Teacher uses interactive simulations == Technology in Education
  • Lesson plan based on Bloom’s Taxonomy == Technology of Education
  • Students submit homework using Google Classroom == Technology in Education
  • School adopted a new learning management system == Technology of Education
  • Teachers use projectors == Technology in Education
  • Instructional designer analyzes objectives == Technology of Education
  • New app is used == Technology in Education
  • Learning module based on the ADDIE model == Technology of Education
  • Teacher integrates YouTube videos == Technology in Education
  • Curriculum team evaluates the alignment == Technology of Education

Related Terms You Should Know

• Instructional Technology: Practice of using technology systematically for education, including design and evaluation processes.
• Software: Programs that direct computer operations (e.g., MS Office, Adobe, educational games).
• Multimedia: Using a combination of text, images, audio, and video in presentations or learning systems.
• Internet: A massive network of networks connecting millions of computers globally.
• World Wide Web (WWW): A graphical environment on computer networks enabling access, viewing, and maintenance of documentation with text, data, sound, and videos.
• WebQuest: An inquiry-oriented lesson format where learners use information from the web.
• Productivity Tools: Software used to improve personal, professional, or classroom productivity (e.g., Google Docs, Excel, Canva).
• Handheld Devices: Portable tech tools used in and outside the classroom.
• Flipped Classroom: Reversing traditional learning: content learned at home, practice in school.
• Podcast: A video or audio multi-media clip about a single topic, typically in the format of a radio talk show.

Four Phases of ICT in Education (UNESCO, 2002)

• Emerging: Teacher-centered, limited use of ICT. Technology supplements traditional lecture methods.
• Applying: Selective adoption of ICT products. Some teachers experiment with technology tools.
• Infusing: ICT integrated across multiple subjects. More interactive lessons; students start using technology independently.