Technology of Education vs Technology in Education
Technology of Education and Technology in Education are two phrases that are confusing to many. Education has come a long way since early days though it encompasses a lot more than what was there to be taught in earlier times, and technology has made it easier for both the teachers and students to learn easily. The advancements in technology are not limited to gadgets and appliances used by people in daily life, it has reached schools and classrooms to ease the way education is imparted and absorbed by students. There are two phrases in this connection that are often confusing for people as they sound similar but are different. This article intends to find the difference between technology of education and technology in education.
What is Technology of Education?
Technology of education is also referred to as educational technology and is in reality incorporation of IT into the realm of classroom. This is a constantly evolving field that depends upon technological advancements. The use of technology in education has many advantages just as technology has enriched the world in all walks of life. One can see and feel the change in air as classrooms are becoming modern and teachers and students are benefiting with gadgets such as smart boards and computers.
The advent of the internet has made a sea of change in the way teachers can demonstrate concepts and ideas to children and make learning almost fun. Information today has been encapsulated in the internet which can be beautifully used to allow learning be a fun rather than being a drudgery which it used to be in earlier times.
What this has meant is that education is no longer limited to the privileged few, and even those who are downtrodden and poor can learn all the ideas and concepts which were like a dream to them in earlier times. Internet today has become very commonplace and its true potential can be realized by disseminating knowledge through it to all, without any discrimination.
What is Technology in Education?
Technology in education is not limited to making use of technology to make learning and imparting of education easier in all possible ways but also a field of study in itself for those who are involved with developing technological tools for educational purposes. Keeping in mind the end user which are the students and teachers, technologists are busy inventing tools and gadgets for use in classrooms. These are the people who are behind this revolution and are working overtime in the field of educational technology to cover all the processes of learning and instruction.
Technology in education refers to but is not limited to the use of hardware and software, including internet and other related activities, for the purpose of increasing human capabilities. The use of technology in education is always welcome as it enables both teachers and students to gain knowledge in a much better and faster rate. Nevertheless, ultimately it is teachers who make use of all the technology and hence, they will remain as important as ever, and technology can never even think of replacing teachers.
What is the difference between Technology of Education and Technology in Education?
• Technology of education is the incorporation of IT into the realm of classroom.
• Technology in education is not limited to making use of technology to make learning and imparting of education easier in all possible ways but also a field of study in itself for those who are involved with developing technological tools for educational purposes. It is a much broader area that technology of education.
Photos By: K.W.Barret (CC BY 2.0), Eric (Hash) Hersman (CC BY 2.0)