WHat truly is technology?
Technology- noun \tek-ˈnä-lə-jē\
Picture captures the earliest form of technolory (Carr, Homsby fire)
In this day and age, when many of us think of the word technology, we think of what is considered “high technology” aka “high-tech” things such as laptops, cell phones, etc. But what really can be considered as technology? Does it have to be electronic or mechanical? The answer to that question is NO! In anthropologist terms, technology goes as far back as the controlled use of fire (over 1,000,000 years ago!). Even things we don’t think about often, such as the invention of the wheel (3500 BC), fit the vast definition of technology (Anissimov, 2013).
Speaking of definitions, Merriam-Webster.com defines technology in four ways:
In much simpler put terms, technology can be thought of as anything, created by man that makes tasks simpler to perform. Therefore, in order to fit this definition of technology, we must broaden our perspectives of what technology truly is, AND what it looks like in the classroom.
Speaking of definitions, Merriam-Webster.com defines technology in four ways:
- the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area: <medical technology>
- a capability given by the practical application of knowledge: <a car's fuel-saving technology>
- a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge: <new technologies for information storage>
- the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor: <educational technology> (Technology, 2013).
In much simpler put terms, technology can be thought of as anything, created by man that makes tasks simpler to perform. Therefore, in order to fit this definition of technology, we must broaden our perspectives of what technology truly is, AND what it looks like in the classroom.
Technology in the classroom
Study Blue Mobile App (Lux, 2013).
There are two types of technologies used in schools: educational technology, and instructional technology. According to the Association for Educational Communications and Technology's (AECT) Definition and Terminology Committee "Educational technology, sometime referred to as EdTEch, is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning, and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources" (Richey, 2004). In other words, educational technology is the technology used to educate or for learning and performance purposes. Examples of educational technology include but are not limited to: Google Earth, Study Blue*, and Blog projects, which promote cross-culture interaction. According to the AECT's Definition and Terminology Committee, "Instructional technology is the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning" (Seels & Richey, 1994). In other words, instructional technology is the technology used to make instruction more efficient. Examples of instructional technologies include but are not limited to SmartBoard interactive white boards, document cameras, and CPS chalkboards*. As you may have noticed, some of the educational technologies and instructional technologies overlap, in terms of the definition, so in turn the terms are sometime used interchangeably. To sum it up, technology in the classroom is the plethora tools that are usually proven helpful in
furthering student learning, and making classroom instruction more efficient.
*Study Blue is a mobile app used for organizing coursework, storing notes and flash cards, and sharing materials with other students (Lux, 2013).
*CPS chalkboards are hand-held tablets that allow the instructor to move freely around the room and still be able to write, draw, and manipulate things displayed on the promethean board without having to be standing in front of the board.
Did you know?
The origin of the word technology comes partly from the Greek word “technê” which means art, skill, craft, manner, or way of. Another word with the same origin is “technique”. So we can transfer the meaning of educational technologies to be the techniques of the educator.
*Study Blue is a mobile app used for organizing coursework, storing notes and flash cards, and sharing materials with other students (Lux, 2013).
*CPS chalkboards are hand-held tablets that allow the instructor to move freely around the room and still be able to write, draw, and manipulate things displayed on the promethean board without having to be standing in front of the board.
Did you know?
The origin of the word technology comes partly from the Greek word “technê” which means art, skill, craft, manner, or way of. Another word with the same origin is “technique”. So we can transfer the meaning of educational technologies to be the techniques of the educator.