HISTORY OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

Content:

            This report includes the history of educational technology, times gone by the computer, as well as the characterization of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in line with education. Originally, Educational Technology is coined to “techne” which means the process of applying knowledge systematically to the practical art of instruction. With this, a lot of individuals tried to make their own concepts of Educational Technology through providing tools to help in the educative process.

            The computer is one of the tools used in education. It started with the discovery of Abacus to Calculator then Punch Card devices, Electronic computer, Mainframes, Minicomputer, Microcomputer, Microcomputer system, and presently, the Internet. Basically, this is the evolution of the computer.

            Information and Communications Technology is the newest trend for the 21^st century. This is about using different technological tools to create, communicate, store, and manage information. Examples for this are computers, internet and other relative devices. Accordingly, it’s a powerful tool for educational change and reform. Moreover, ICT’s, if used appropriately can be a way to easier access to education, strengthen the relevance of education and for students to engage in a more real life situations.

            To sum it up, Educational Technology and ICT talks about learning, unlearning, and relearning.

   Experience:

            ICT is just like other educational instruments which help in creating, communicating and managing information which we are actually experiencing right now through the use of technological devices like computers. In the classroom, we are already exposed to using this ICT which is really more convenient compared to the traditional teaching tools. It’s a lot easier to report things with the use of projectors and laptops. We are also engage in a more realistic situations through student-centered approaches and outcomes- based instruction.

Reflection:

            Realizing how important ICT is and testifying about its boons made me decide to really apply it to my future learners especially that they will be a product of this Information Technology generation. Learning these technologies would also enable me to become more adaptive to the changes of the world of education for the betterment of our curriculum and the teaching-learning environment. I would say that ICT is not just for me, but for everybody. The challenge is to think a million times on the appropriateness of the ICT’s that we plan to use in the classroom versus the learning styles of our students.

Application:

            Becoming aware of the usefulness of Information and Communications Technology that include the Educational Technology and Computer is like being responsible of the learning of our students. ICT is not being idealistic rather being realistic about the experiences of our students. Therefore, we should not neglect the chance of learning this technology as what Alvin Toffler said, “The illiterate of the 21^st century is not those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”