Overview of Educational Technology Degrees

The use of technology has invaded every aspect of our lives from our phones to our homes. That being the case, it's no wonder that a new branch of education has sprung up which champions the use of technology to enhance eduction. Called educational technology or instructional technology, these educational programs embrace the use of technology in the classroom and online teaching methods to impart some or all of the student's education.

What is Educational Technology?

Educational technology in the broadest sense refers to the use of technology to aid in learning. While this can include film, photos, video or audio clips, most often the term is used to describe computer technology used to enhance learning, according to the Educational Technology website.

How Is Ed Tech Used in and out of the Classroom?

Educational technology can be employed in direct situations where students take a class in an actual classroom or via distance. Additionally, the move toward educational technology affects not only the educators who want to use educational technology in the classroom, but also web designers, multimedia producers and other technology professionals. These professionals must work together to create programs that help students learn better using technology.

Pros and Cons

The use of educational technology in learning has its detractors. Detractors point to problems with equipment, over-promotion of the use of educational technology over other methods of learning and the lack of quality courses are the primary reasons these critics cite as downfalls of using educational technology, according to North Carolina State University. However, because of the troubles faced by educational technology programs, specific standards have been developed to off-set some of the problems that these programs experience including the establishment of learning outcomes, qualified faculty to act as oversight and a coherence to the degree being offered.

Using Video Games and YouTube to Teach

A new branch of educational technology is using technologies like video games, multimedia and other interactive software to teach. For example, Boise State University, one of the universities that offers an educational technology Master's degree, offers classes in using animation (Second Life) in the classroom. Other applications used by this and other universities offering educational technology are flash animation, YouTube for educators and multimedia applications.

Adult Learners and Instructional Technology

Educators who want to employ educational technology in their classrooms will be trained in various applications. They take classes in using the internet for educators, instructional design and theoretical foundations of educational technology. They can also take classes that deal specifically with adult learners, integrating technology into learning and teaching and learning in virtual worlds.

Educational Technology, Definition of Educational Technology, EdTech
Worldwide Learn, Guide to Educational Technology Majors, Worldwide Learn
G. David Garson, The Role of Technology in Quality Education, North Carolina State University