Educational technology is a field of study of human learning and deals with a complex and integrated process of people, methods, ideas, tools, and strategies to analyze problems and devise solutions for them.
It is technology due to its systematic application of scientific and other knowledge in practical work. It is academically competent because practical work takes place in the context of education at all levels.
Education technology is a term used by professionals which is very diverse and the official definition of the field includes the word instructional instead of educational. With this correction, the field is described as the theory and practice of the design, development, use, management, and evaluation of the learning process and resources.
As a field, educational technology encompasses the subfields of communication skills and leads to instruction and learning through the rational use of various communication channels (media).
Like all forms of applied technology, it assumes that theoretical knowledge and scientific principles can be applied to problems that arise in a social context.
Educational technology is fully committed to finding new and effective ways to streamline the teaching and learning process. It is not a bag of mechanical tricks and should not be thought of as a synonym for technical equipment. It seeks to find ways to configure, design, implement, and test learning systems.
This field is primarily concerned with the best possible application of technological advancements in educational methods and involves reconsidering all elements of the teaching-learning process.
As an educational discipline, it prepares people to know the learning resources through research, theory, design, production, evaluation, processes for analysis, and formulating solutions to the problems on the process involved in the organization and management of personnel.
Training prepares the individual for an activity that is primarily intellectual and involves great personal responsibility. This professional activity is based on the body of knowledge more than on the usual tasks.
Such routines should not be confused with the communication and teaching techniques that are the basis of professional discipline education.
Communication and collaboration opportunities have also expanded through technology. Traditionally, classrooms have been relatively isolated and collaboration has been limited to other students in the same classroom or building.
Today, technology enables forms of communication and collaboration that have never been dreamed of before. For example, in a classroom in a rural area of the United States, students can learn about the Arctic by following a team of scientists in the region, reading the scientists' blog, viewing photos, asking questions in the mail, and even talking live via videoconference.
Students can share what they are learning in other classrooms in other states with students who are following the same campaign. Students can collaborate on group projects using technology-based tools like Wiki and Google Docs.
Classroom walls are no longer a barrier, as technology enables new ways of learning, communicating, and working collaboratively.