How I understand Educational Technology
The above clip (from The Simpsons episode “Bart Carny”) is illustrative of my conflicted understanding of educational technology. I have always thought of technology in terms of utility. Tools are employed to complete tasks or objectives. By this definition literally anything can be thought of as technology (if we imbue an object with purpose). Some technologies are relatively simple, like levers, while others are complex (like the computer I am typing this blog post on). However, it is not the complexity of the technology that makes it useful, but instead how it aids in the completion of one’s goals.
Therefore by my own definition educational technology is any object, device, or tool that is employed for the expressed purpose of teaching and learning.
Sounds simple.
Not really.