Education Technology

Education technology consists of a wide range of hardware, software, and technical equipment used in schools to promote learning. Computers, CD-ROMs, the Internet, e-mail, television monitors, video equipment, and satellite systems for distance learning are some of the education technologies that schools are using.

Means, Blando, Olson, Middleton, Morocco, Remz, and Zorfass (1993) suggest grouping education technologies according to their instructional use:

"Although technology applications are frequently characterized in terms of their most obvious hardware feature (e.g., a VCR or a computer), from the standpoint of education, it is the nature of the instruction delivered that is important rather than the equipment delivering it." (p. 11)

They categorize education technology into four basic uses: tutorial, exploratory, application, and communication:

• Tutorial: "Tutorial uses are those in which the technology does the teaching, typically in a lecture-like or workbook-like format in which the system controls what material will be presented to the student" (p. 11). Tutorial use includes expository learning, demonstration, and practice. Examples are drill-and-practice software, tutoring systems, instructional television, computer-assisted instruction, and intelligent computer-assisted instruction.

• Exploratory: "Exploratory uses of technology are those in which the student is free to roam around the information displayed or presented in the medium. Exploration applications may promote discovery or guided discovery approaches to helping students learn information, knowledge, facts, concepts, or procedures" (p. 11). Examples are CD-ROM encyclopedias, microworlds, hypermedia stacks, network search tools, and microcomputer-based laboratories.

• Application: Application uses "help students in the educational process by providing them with tools to facilitate writing tasks, analysis of data, and other uses" (p. 11). Examples are word processing and spreadsheet software, database management programs, graphic software, desktop publishing systems, hypermedia, network search tools, and videotape recording and editing equipment.

• Communication: "Communication uses are those that allow students and teachers to send and receive messages and information to one another through networks or other technologies" (p. 11). Examples are interactive distance learning through satellite systems, computer and modem, cable links, and e-mail.

For further information, refer to Educational Technologies in Using Technology to Support Education Reform (Means, Blando, Olson, Middleton, Morocco, Remz, & Zorfass, 1993)

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