When examining the history of educational technology, the words “history” and “technology” together almost feels like an oxymoron. My mind automatically thinks of technology as what we are currently exposed and utilizing (i.e. artificial intelligence, portable devices, use of the internet/Wi-Fi to control the use of devices). However, during my search, the information I found connected the dots to show me just how far back and diverse educational technology has been. I viewed YouTube videos and read articles that highlighted the humble beginnings of when cultures began documenting their lives through cave drawings, using ink and paper, and the printing press. These inventions and practices revolutionized how information and knowledge was recorded, shared, and passed on to future generations.
As educational technology has changed and evolved over the years, these devices and how people have utilized them continue to be an agent that support the transfer of knowledge in formal and informal settings. What has drastically changed over time are the diverse ways information can be presented and accessed. Researchers and professionals in the education field have examined ways humans learn. As a result, this enables better uses of educational technology and strategies to support the transfer of learning.
I believe that the use of educational technology has been successful. Educators in many professional fields have adopted some form of technology (i.e. gamification and simulations) to help the next generation of learners prepare for the real world. There is large assortment of educational software found in classrooms that are geared towards helping children learn by creating opportunities for them to practice and apply their knowledge in a fun and educational way. Conducting a search on the history of educational technology has expanded my knowledge and understanding in how past inventions and practices have shaped the advancements we have today.
September 8, 2019 at 5:18 pm
I find it interesting that you initially found the words history and technology to be an oxymoron. I have always thought of technology as being right in the time it came forward and helps us get to the next new technology. If you compare a letter-press printing press to a modern printer, of course the older of the two will pale in comparison; however, without the first the second would never have come along. Have your thought changed after your research?
September 15, 2019 at 7:17 am
What I was trying to convey with my oxymoron statement was my initial thoughts before conducting any sort of research into the history of educational technology. Honestly, I’ve only ever thought about technology within my own context and experience, so this activity forced me to expand my dimensions and reflect on other areas of history that have influenced what I’m exposed to now. I totally agree with your comment that technology comes at particular time of need and will continue to help spearhead new technology. After reading the required articles from Reiser (2001) and Weller (2018), their work has shown me that education itself is highly complex and technology to support it can be its own beast as well!
September 9, 2019 at 6:14 pm
Eunice, thank you for this post!
Katherine asks a great question here. Did you research impact your perspective in some way?
Further, I think this is an important statement that you could explore more in this course: “I believe that the use of educational technology has been successful.” As we are going forward I would encourage you to consider what evidence could be used to support that belief and whether that evidence is present in the literature. There’s lots of information to consider here!
September 15, 2019 at 7:38 am
Hi George! I think the research parameters that I used was not as wide as it could be. In my blog post, I written it with a lot of my preconceived notions and experiences of educational technology, and it had always been quite helpful. However, after doing the readings and looking at the history of education and the technology used to support instruction, I now know and see how complex it can be. After reading Marta’s blog post, she’s also made me realize how the field of learning and technology is interdisciplinary where it spans across many perspectives. Going forward, I will surely consider other types of evidence in the literature and blogs that I’m reading.