Educational Technology Literature Review

With the many eminent contributions of technology to the society, many education centers, as well as the general public, have resolved to incorporate technology into their educational curriculum. The use of educational technology has tremendously increased over the years with the educators striving to integrate the latest trends in technology into the education systems and curriculum. This literature review discusses some of the aspects of educational technology and especially how educational technology has been changing over time. This review will give an account of the main events in the integration of technology to education and how this has influenced learning and teaching process in the education system. The review is based on different research findings and articles on the changes in educational technology and the history of technological education.

As at 2008, each instructional computer was serving at most four students as opposed to the figure at 1999 where one computer served six or more students. In the current date, this is far much better for the ratio is almost one computer per head in most of the schools nationwide. Additionally, educational technology has evolved from the individual use of computers to come up with other technologies and equipment such as digital cameras, video conferencing, and the use of electronic whiteboards. As far as educational technology is concerned these additional advancements have highly changed America's education system positively (The Greaves Group, 2006). Most of the recent day educators and learners are a living testimony of how these advancements in educational technology and how these changes have expanded the education sector and open up new opportunities in education.

Hackbarth uses the example of the ancient technologies of ink and paper discovered in Boston back in 1635 and used in the earliest school in US-based in Boston. At this time the professor would teach only by lecturing with no visual aids to mean little or no examples were illustrated. Later came the biggest all-time transformations which were the first modern library in 1651 which became the center of research then (Hackbarth, 1996). He also recognizes the introduction of books by the Sumerians back in 1300BC as one of the fundamental tools that have seen the changes in educational technology. Other recognizable technology-based tools that Hackbarth appreciates for bringing change to education systems include the chalkboards, the modern pencil, and the audiovisual learning tools in the 1930s.

The introduction of computers which came along with that of the internet is what constitutes the largest percentage of students’ success in their coursework. With the help of the internet, many other efficient and more interactive programs have been initiated to make the learning and teaching process easier and more simplified. This is because with the internet students can do and turn in assignments through emails and other online learning platforms. Nevertheless, their instructors can share learning notes, timetables and even post assignments through the internet minimizing the usual paperwork. Not forget the internet has made research easier by providing relevant information in a timely manner to students through online libraries. ” The many technological advancements we rely on in the current day were made by philosophers who used their educational knowledge and principles to come up with the very inventions.

Even though technology is swiftly occupying the education system we must not entirely depend on it since at some points it might fail or even have negative effects (Duffy & Jonassen, 2013). How frequently are learners using technology in the learning centers and at their residential places? Educators in the present day using technological innovations in their classes and in teaching courses have recorded more improvements in terms of student performance than those teachers who rarely use it in their teachings. This in accordance to a study that was carried out by K-12 Technology Study at Richard W. Riley College of Education. In most cases, educators will gauge the technology in question to be integrated into the learning process by assessing its impacts on students’ performance and how the technology is basically used (Bentalla, 2011).

Don Knezek (2008) tries to explain the possible results that may arise from integrating technological advancements into the education curriculum. According to him, the benefits of an effective incorporation of technology into the learning and teaching process are much more than the related disadvantages. Technology not only increases and improves the test scores of most students but also enhances the acquisition of the 21st-century skills which are very vital for one to exist in this century. Therefore, the current generation needs to understand and be able to use technology hence with the integration of technology into the curriculum their education foundation be based on technology. ” With social media and the internet, students and teachers can interact and communicate outside the learning environment in the case of questions and other educational concerns.

However, students often have different perceptions about the use of technology hence some may use it to improve their education while others might misuse it hence affecting their performance negatively (Powers, 2013). Conclusion In conclusion, it’s evident from the articles that there are considerate changes in education as a result of educational technology. These changes have greatly improved learners understanding and interaction between them and their instructors. Remarkably, the education sector is in full control of the technological advancements it should incorporate in learning giving educators and students the freedom of choice of the technology they need in learning. Asian Transactions on Science and Technology, 01(05), 1-11. Cabarera, D. The history of technology in education [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www. youtube.