Scope of Educational Technology

Along with the concept of educational technology, several other terms are used to denote its scope, such as the following:

Instructional TechnologyInstructional MediaInstructional AidsAudiovisual AidsInstructional Materials

Instructional TechnologyInclusive are those aspects of educational technology that are primarily concerned with instructional or the teaching-learning process rather than the design and operation of educational institution.

Instructional MediaThese are the means of communication available for educational purposes other than the teacher. The term media emphasizes the interaction that occurs between the teacher and the learner.

Instructional AidsThe term aids emphasize the assistance or help of the instructional media in bringing out an effective teaching-learning situation.

Audiovisual AidsThese are materials for instruction that employ the use of the sense of sight, hearing or the combination of these modalities.

Instructional Materials

These are the tools or equipment used by the teachers as media to aid in the teaching-learning process

The Roles of Educational Technology

Educational technology aims for the improvement of the teaching-learning process. This can be achieved through the following ways:

Increase in the student’s quality of learningDecrease in the time spent in

learningIncrease in the efficiency of

teachers in the classroomDecrease in the educational

costs without sacrificing educational quality

Heinich et. Al 1996 identified the following

roles of instructional media in teaching-learning

process.

• Properly designed instructional media can enhance and promote learning and support teacher-based instruction.

• Media can be used effectively in formal education situation where a teacher is not available or working with other students.

• Media paly an important role in the education of students with exceptionalities and disabilities.

In distance education, a

growing instructional

approach nowadays,

course content is

delivered to the learners

through instructional

media.

Green (1972) posted the major attributes that media

possess, and these are:• Media can create learning situations that cannot otherwise be accomplished like bring past, current and distant events in the classroom.

• Media can be used to present information in a variety of ways which best meet particular learning objectives.

• Media can learning be more effective by increasing the realism, the dynamics and the attitudinal impact, thus increasing the motivation to learn.

• Some media such as television, can make the best teachers and learning situation available to more students than would otherwise be possible.

• By using media, some educational objectives can be realized more economically than the conventional means.

Benefits of Instructional Media1. Standardization of the delivery of instruction.2. More attention-grabbing instruction.3. More retention in learning.4. Reduced length of time required for instruction.5. More interactive learning.6. Provision of instruction whenever and wherever necessary.7. Enhancement of positive attitudes of students to learning.

8. Shift of role of teachers from instructors to facilitators.9. Individualization of learning.10. More multi-sensory learning.