According to Wikipedia, "Educational technology is the systematic and creative blending of "idea" and "product" technologies with subject-matter content in order to engender and improve teaching and learning processes." Not satisfied with this I continued further. By interesting accident I crossed an article by Alan Januszewski stating the formaly accepted definition of Educational Technology by the AECT Board of Directors. "Educational Technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources."
Reflecting on both definitions I notice a subtle but substantial difference in the two positions. Based on Wikipedia technology essentially improves the teaching and learning process. One could easily infer that it is improving processes already in place. However, the AECT definition takes the stand that education technology should be the driving force to bring new processes and information not originally available to the education process and even create new ideas of facilitating the learning process as a whole.
What does this mean to me? Both are sound definitions but taking two different views of technology utilization. In my view Education Technology is the utilization of all technological resources to improve and excite the learning process and assist in bringing the community into the learning process they support.
Wikipedia (2006) Educational Technology
Retrieved January 31, 2007, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_technology
Januszewski, A. (Jan/Feb2005). The Rational and Decision Making Process. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, Vol. 49 (Issue 1), p45-46. Retrieved January 31, 2007, from Professional Development Collection database.
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