Educational Technology

Educational Technology

Educational technology refers to various forms of technology that can be used to improve or enhance the learning process for students. The exact nature of such technology, however, can change fairly often as new hardware and software become available for students and teachers. This sort of technology can be used both in and out of the classroom, and can be utilized by teachers or enhance the ability of students to learn materials on their own. Educational technology often includes computer software that allows students to communicate with each other online, smartboards used in the classroom, and educational video games.
One of the most important aspects of educational technology is that it is constantly changing and advancing as progress in technology in general is made. A number of educators commit a great deal of time and effort to finding ways to effectively use new technology in and out of the classroom. Entire schools and degrees are now offered to students through virtual classrooms over the Internet, providing new educational opportunities for students all over the world.
These online classes are one of the major ways in which educational technology has changed how many people view education. Using various utilities and software applications, online classes allow students to view video of lectures given in a classroom, which can even be a virtual classroom in which a teacher is standing in front of a digital image that can change to reflect the material being discussed. Students can also use educational technology to communicate with each other online, using forums to create lasting records of class discussions and sharing resources to create group projects through telecommunications.
Educational technology can also include classroom hardware such as smartboards. These are effectively dry erase whiteboards that connect to a computer to act as both whiteboard and monitor. Teachers can type information or play videos on a computer — all displayed on the smart board — and use special markers to draw and interact with the data from the computer. This educational technology allows teachers to create more unique and experiential learning opportunities for students.
There are also a number of software developers looking into video games as a form of educational technology. While educational games have been maligned by some gamers in the past, a few developers have found ways to make educational games fun and provide learning through entertainment. Such games often encourage players to develop stronger language skills by using words and spelling to create effects on the game world, demonstrating advancement and success through effective communication. These games often have a positive influence on young players, who learn to associate achievement with the use of critical thinking and problem solving skills.

What Does an Educational Technologist Do?

An educational technologist combines his knowledge of technological tools with educational content to enhance learning for students. The technological tools usually involve computer hardware, software, and Web-based products. Becoming an educational technologist generally requires a graduate degree in education, instructional design, educational psychology, or a related field. Job opportunities for educational technologists are found in educational institutions, government agencies, instructional software companies and in other private entities.
Many educational technologists consider themselves educators. In a practical sense, the goal of the educational technologist is to help individuals advance their knowledge of a particular subject or skill, using technology as a tool. The educational technologist must have an understanding of how people learn and the technological challenges that sometimes interfere with the learning process. A software implementation that may seem logical to a software developer, for example, may not be the best feature from an educational standpoint. In this case, an educational technologist can work with the developer to create a more optimal learning tool.
The majority of educational technologists come from a background in education, psychology, or instructional design. Some may have a background in programming or a degree in a technology-related subject, although this is usually not a requirement. In most cases, the role of the educational technologist is to have an in-depth knowledge of how hardware and software products facilitate learning. An educational technologist who has an understanding of varied learning styles can help to develop instructional technology that accommodates the visual, auditory and kinesthetic needs of individual learners.
In many cases, educational technologists bring together the worlds of technology and content creation. An educational technologist might work with a software developer to ensure that the product is user-friendly. Working with the content writer might involve requests for shorter paragraphs and formatting that can be viewed more easily on a computer screen. The improvement recommendations are generally based on observing and understanding the challenges and needs of the end user.
Job opportunities for educational technologists have increased with the demand and use of technology as a learning tool. Schools and universities employ educational technologists to enhance curricula and create online learning programs. Government agencies need the help of these experts to create and deliver Web-based training programs to employees and the public. Companies that provide instructional software hire educational technologists to ensure that their products are user-friendly. Many large companies and organizations use the services of educational technologists to improve internal training processes and the delivery of information to employees.