Assignment on
Emerging Trends in Educational Technology. Multimedia
Approach and Problems of New Technology.
PID NO : 15PHEDU105
NAME : JOHN JOSEPH
CLASS : Ph.D. in Education
Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Science
Allahabad
CONTENTS
Introduction 03
Emerging Trends in Educational Technology 05
Multimedia Approach 09
Problems of New Technology 11
Conclusion 13
Reference 14
INTRODUCTION
Technology can be a powerful tool for transforming learning. It can help affirm and advance
relationships between educators and students, reinvent our approaches to learning and
collaboration, shrink long-standing equity and accessibility gaps, and adapt learning
experiences to meet the needs of all learners.
Our schools, community colleges, and universities should be incubators of exploration and
invention. Educators should be collaborators in learning, seeking new knowledge and
constantly acquiring new skills alongside their students. Education leaders should set a vision
for creating learning experiences that provide the right tools and supports for all learners to
thrive.
However, to realize fully the benefits of technology in our education system and provide
authentic learning experiences, educators need to use technology effectively in their practice.
Furthermore, education stakeholders should commit to working together to use technology to
improve American education. These stakeholders include leaders; teachers, faculty, and other
educators; researchers; policymakers; funders; technology developers; community members
and organizations; and learners and their families.
Educational technology, sometimes shortened to EduTech or EdTech, is a wide field.
Therefore, one can find many definitions, some of which are conflicting. Educational
technology as an academic field can be considered either as a design science or as a
collection of different research interests addressing fundamental issues of learning, teaching
and social organization. Educational technology as practice refers to any form of teaching and
learning that makes use of technology (Lal Madan, 2005). Nevertheless, there are a few
features on which most researchers and practitioners might agree:
1. Use of technology is principled: Technology means the systematic application of
scientific knowledge to practical tasks. Therefore, educational technology is based on
theoretical knowledge drawn from different disciplines (communication, education,
psychology, sociology, philosophy, artificial intelligence, computer science, etc.) plus
experiential knowledge drawn from educational practice (Lal Madan, 2005).
2. Educational technology aims to improve education. Technology should facilitate
learning processes and increase performance of the educational system(s) as it
regards to effectiveness and/or efficiency (Lal Madan, 2005).
Educational Technology
Educational technology is the use of technology to improve education. It is a systematic,
iterative process for designing instruction or training used to improve performance.
Educational technology is sometimes also known as instructional technology or learning
technology. (Wikipedia:Educational_technology). It is also defined as the study and ethical
practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing
appropriate technological processes and resources (Alessi, Stephen. M. & Trollop, Stanley.
R., 2001)
Issues and trends in educational technology are not static. They are dynamic and changes
with time. The rate of development in educational technology continues to increase as new
devices and equipment emerge and new applications employed. The presence of potential
devices in teaching and learning continues to enhance learning and the ways in which
teachers can teach students better. Since the means of acquiring knowledge is dynamic,
education today cannot be fixed or do without technology as evidenced in computer
application in education (Ely D. P, 2002).
Computer has become the symbol of education and a means of instructional delivery in the
recent times. Apart from the use of technology in teaching and learning situation in the
classroom, there have been other educational opportunities brought by the innovations and
changes that currently dominate education. The significant development in distance education
for example, has been fostered by improved use of computer and the internet in almost all the
environments where formal and non-formal teaching and learning take place. With the
increasing innovations in the use of networked computers, the internet in the home, office,
school etc, more learners are using these resources ever than before for learning both in
developed and developing nations (Ely D. P, 2002). Access to education, information, and
other learning resources are no more problems for many people regardless their locations,
economic background, work or level of education. In view of this assertion, an attempt to
identify some current trends in educational technology as it affects teaching and learning is
pertinent.
Emerging Trends in Educational Technology
In the field of educational technology, trends help us to see the direction we are heading to as
it shows new ideas, facts, approaches, devices introduced and their application to better the
education industry. Some of the new trends that we see in educational technology are the
following
The Internet
The internet technology has made the world a global village and education accessible from
every location of the world through e-learning. The internet is basically a network of
networked computers all over the world. Most educational institutions, learners, business,
government agencies and many others have connected their computers to the internet making
it a large network of networked computers.
In view of this development, significant growth has been currently recorded in educational
technology. E-learning, e-tutoring, outsourcing education services and the development of
digital libraries which resulted from internet services have opened the door of teaching and
learning with special approach to the adult and professional labour force whose needs may
not be adequately met by the conventional classroom teaching and learning (Ely D. P, 2002).
The internet technology, an emerging trend in educational technology has therefore come to
make tremendous impact on education and development at the personal, institutional,
national and international levels in both developed and developing nations.
E-Learning
The emergence of internet connectivity has made e-learning a major trend in educational
technology. E-learning is the teaching supports management and assessment of students on
programmes of study that involves significant use of online technologies (Tech-learn, 2000).
To Horton (2005), e-learning is the use of internet and digital technologies to create
experiences that educate our fellow human beings. Similarly, e-learning is:
1. The use of electronic technology to deliver, support and enhance teaching and
learning.
2. It is the use of new multi-media technologies and the internet to improve the quality
of learning by facilitating access to resources and services as well as remote
exchanges and collaboration.
3. If someone is learning in a way that uses Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs), he is doing e-learning (Tech-learn, 2000).
Based on the above explanations, e-learning is an approach that involves online and offline
instructional delivery systems using computer-mediated and electronic devices
enhancements. E-learning occurs through the internet and intranet. It is an instructional
delivery technique through electronic devices such as the computer using Web browser like
Microsoft internet explorer or Net scope navigator. This can incorporate multi-media
platforms such as CD Rom or DVD offline (Tech-learn, 2000).
As a trend, e-learning is very useful in open and distance learning. Most instructional texts
for e-learners are converted into electronic format and placed on the website for learners to
read, download or print and then go to read. E-learning can occur through online (internet) or
offline (through CD). Also Local Area Network (LAN) makes a way on the internet for
institutions to practice e-learning. E-learning, web-based learning or internet –based learning
involves students and instructors who are widely separated geographically, who come with
different backgrounds and who may not be able to have lectures in a traditional classroom
schedule. It is technology-reliant system where online access is a prerequisite for students to
have their course materials, study support, lectures and source information through virtual
library (Tech-learn, 2000).
With the development of this trend, many universities in Europe and America now offer
courses and degrees online. For instance, University of Phoenix online offers about 25
programmes for distance learners. This new trend of instructional delivery benefits both
developed and developing nations (Tech-learn, 2000).
E-Tutoring
E-tutoring has become a preferred method of extending training and learning support to
learners beyond classroom in the recent time. It can be defined as teaching support,
management and assessment of students on programmes of study that involves technologies
(Tech Learn, 2000). For students who are feeling bored in the traditional classrooms, e-
tutoring can be an outstanding way to help them build self-esteem and the desire to learn. E-
tutoring is different from tutoring in terms of the involvement of technology. Other
differences are in terms of time, distance and specific technologies adopted in learning
activities and in managing and supporting students learning online. The main feature of e-
tutoring is to facilitate collaborative learning and group working activities which may be
separated in terms of time, distance and specific ICT facilities adopted for creating, sharing
and discussing learning online. E-tutors are essential and appreciated by their learners in
online learning as they add human-face to the online materials. This makes the students to
have confidence that there are expert tutors. This in turn, leads to higher completion and
retention rates.
E-tutoring has now emerged as a new medium of instruction utilizing the infinite scope of
ICT that has transformed today’s approach to education and teaching. This has worked in
India, China, USA and other developed nations. The purpose is to exploit the potentials of
ICT in new global market and to provide flexible and accessible learning through distance
education. The percentage of parents turning to e-tutoring for their children is increasing and
gaining popularity. Similarly, online tutoring agencies like [Link]
are also increasing. [Link] for example, has a very pragmatic and
professional strategy on how to tutor different types of students in different subjects. The
record of testimony from thousands of successful students who have been transformed from
below average or average to above average or outstanding students with the help of e-tutoring
services speaks for itself. E-tutoring has solution for parents who are worried about their
children’s educational standards. It also extends job opportunities to teachers outside the
teaching profession (Outsourcing Tutoring Services, 2006).
Outsourcing Education
Outsourcing is the concept of taking internal company functions and paying an outside firm
to handle them. It is the practice of having goods and services provided by a person or
persons outside a firm. Outsourcing is also the performance of production activities that was
previously done inside a firm or plant outside that firm or plant. Outsourcing is done to save
money, improve quality or free company resources for other activities. Developing countries
such as India or China benefit from the patronage of companies that outsource to them in
terms of increased wages, job prestige, education and quality of life.
Outsourcing has made itself accessible to education. As a current trend in educational
technology, outsourcing education is the concept of importing education from other
countries. It means taking internal educational services and paying outside institutions or
tutors to handle them online. In this trend, American students are now importing educational
services. For example, thousands of US students such as Del Monte are increasingly relying
on foreign tutors to boost their grades and scores in schools. The tutors communicate with
students over the internet round the clock, making education the newest industry to be
outsourced to other countries (Power, Kevin and Desouza, 2005). One of the major
advantages is the ability to purchase intellectual capital. In view of the above assertion,
outsourcing has actually penetrated the field of education where online tutoring through the
internet has emerged as a medium of interaction utilizing an infinite scope of ICT beyond the
classroom (Outsourcing Tutoring Services, 2006).
Virtual Library
Virtual library has become a major trend and source of information to online learners. The
term virtual library is variously referred to as electronic library, digital library or paperless
library. This term imply the use of modern ICT to collect, store, search, retrieve and
disseminate information to large number of learners without limitation of time and space.
Virtual library is a situation in which information are stored in electronic format and
disseminated through the internet rather than on paper or other localized media (Aniebo,
2004). Virtual library is therefore an electronic library provided online by a conventional
library for learners to read books and access other digital archival collections.
Multimedia Approach
Multimedia is a hot topic in education because it represents the latest technology and
introduces into the classroom whole new ways of thinking about curriculum, interactions
with students and even the nature of learning itself. He elaborates that the meaning of
multimedia has changed from meaning nothing to everything Multimedia can mean any kind
of file or document, either a text or spread sheet, that have audio or video effects or “an
interactive information cafe”. Whatever it is not, it certainly is the most promising technology
in education. (Weidong Xhang, 2003).
Packiam (1986), had referred to the use of appropriate and carefully selected varieties of
learning experiences which when presented to the learner through selected teaching strategies
will reinforce and strengthen one another in such a way that the learner will achieve
predetermined objectives in an effective way.
Education is defined as a means of providing systematic training and instruction and training
is provided by instruction, discipline on drill In terms of having training and instruction,
multimedia is a powerful tool which can provide individual and interactive instructions as
well as motivation for practice in an entertainment environment. Multimedia also provides
students with different learning styles, the opportunity to learn, share, communicate and grow
using all their faculties (Lal Madan, 2005).
Multi-media approach has the following natures. It uses number of techniques or methods.
Multimedia approach uses a number of media, devices, techniques, in the teaching learning
process. Multimedia approach has come out of researches and experiments in educational
technology that have been undertaken in order to improve the process of teaching learning. It
aims at providing meaningful learning experiences via a mix of media in order to achieve
predetermined objectives. The choice of the media has to be done carefully so that one does
not hamper or reduce the effect of the other i.e. each media must complement the after. The
media have to used sequentially and judiciously. Only necessary ones are to be used. Then it
would be possible to make optimum use of them in a most economical manner (Lal Madan,
2005). In multimedia approach, several media and techniques are used as powerful means of
communication.
Role of teacher in Multimedia approach
The teacher has to make a lot of modifications and adjustment if he has to adopt multimedia
approach. His role would have a different connotation compared to the traditional role. He
would have to make these changes.
i) The teacher has to adopt a number of methods and techniques, he cannot be
satisfied with the lecture or the chalk talk method.
ii) The teacher has to be aware of the different available media and their availability
the teacher should be physically competent to use and demonstrate the use of
different media.
iii) The teacher should be skilful enough to make a judicious choice of media and be
competent enough to mix them sequentially and in an orderly manner.
iv) The teacher’s role is that of a facilitator or manager of activities. He has to lead
his students for independent, individualized learning.
v) The teacher should provide experience such that the students can link practice and
theory & integrate them (Ansari M.S, 2012).
Educational Implications of Multimedia
1. Multimedia enables students to represent information using several different media.
Hypermedia links allow students to organize information in meaningful ways.
2. Multimedia can take into account different learning styles. Some students learn by
interpreting text, while others require more graphical or aural representations.
3. Multimedia allows for self-pacing and discovery, students can take the time they need
and choose the path of learning making learning meaningful and pleasurable.
4. Multimedia helps in development of higher order thinking skills. Interactive
multimedia encourages student.
5. Multimedia provided the students the flexibility of anywhere, ‘any time’ learning.
6. Multimedia helps in developing group and interpersonal skills. Better communication
between students via e-mail, chat sessions etc., can encourage collaborative learning
and enhance student-teacher interaction.
7. Multimedia helps students to learn the content in a given discipline. It helps students
to think effectively, practice problem solving and decision making (Ansari M.S,
2012).
Multimedia approach in schools/college is effective for students to learn both ‘from’ and
‘with’ it. The focus is now on media and technology because of their advantages in terms of
repeatability, transportability and equity of access. Multimedia helps students to construct
knowledge actively, work in group and use multi-senses at a time. Multimedia is very
effective and advanced approach in higher education.
Problems of New Technology
"This is our decade, we will either develop as a strong and viable instructional program or we
will wither and die as an insignificant relic of a failed curriculum" (Custer, 2003). These
prophetic words by the 2002- 2004 president of the Council on Technology Teacher
Education (CTTE) seem to be ringing more true with the passing of each school year. In
these critical times it is imperative that we utilize every available resource to build and
establish our field of study and to address and solve the issues and problems that we now
face. Therefore, if we are to guide our profession successfully through the myriad of
problems and concerns that impact us, we will need to be strategic in every decision. A
crucial first step to preserve the future of the profession is to gather empirical data that
accurately identifies the critical issues and problems facing technology education.
New technologies are frequently accompanied by unrealistic hype and promise regarding
their transformative power to change education for the better or in allowing better educational
opportunities to reach the masses. Examples include silent film, broadcast radio, and
television, none of which have maintained much of a foothold in the daily practices of
mainstream, formal education (Culp, K.M.; Honey, M.; Mandinach, E. (2005). Technology,
in and of itself, does not necessarily result in fundamental improvements to educational
practice (Lai, K.W. (2008). The focus needs to be on the learner's interaction with
technology—not the technology itself. It needs to be recognized as "ecological" rather than
"additive" or "subtractive". In this ecological change, one significant change will create total
change (Postman, N. (1992).
According to Branford et al., "technology does not guarantee effective learning" and
inappropriate use of technology can even hinder it (Bransford, J., Brown, A., & Cocking, R.
R. (2000). A University of Washington study of infant vocabulary shows that it is slipping
due to educational baby DVDs. Published in the Journal of Pediatrics, a 2007 University of
Washington study on the vocabulary of babies surveyed over 1,000 parents in Washington
and Minnesota. The study found that for every one hour that babies 8–16 months of age
watched DVDs and Videos they knew 6-8 fewer of 90 common baby words than the babies
that did not watch them. Andrew Meltzoff, a surveyor in this study states that the result
makes sense, that if the baby's 'alert time' is spent in front of DVDs and TV, instead of with
people speaking, the babies are not going to get the same linguistic experience. Dr. Dimitri
Chistakis, another surveyor reported that the evidence is mounting that baby DVDs are of no
value and may be harmful (Lai, K.W, 2008).
Adaptive instructional materials tailor questions to each student's ability and calculate their
scores, but this encourages students to work individually rather than socially or
collaboratively. Social relationships are important but high-tech environments may
compromise the balance of trust, care and respect between teacher and student.
Massively open online courses (MOOCs), although quite popular in discussions of
technology and education in developed countries (more so in US), are not a major concern in
most developing or low-income countries. One of the stated goals of MOOCs is to provide
less fortunate populations (i.e., in developing countries) an opportunity to experience courses
with US-style content and structure. However, research shows only 3% of the registrants are
from low-income countries and although many courses have thousands of registered students
only 5-10% of them complete the course. MOOCs also implies that certain curriculum and
teaching methods are superior and this could eventually wash over (or possibly washing out)
local educational institutions, cultural norms and educational traditions.
With the Internet and social media, using educational apps makes the students highly
susceptible to distraction and side tracking. Even though proper use has shown to increase
student performances, being distracted would be detrimental. Another disadvantage is
increased potential for cheating. Smartphones can be very easy to hide and use
inconspicuously, especially if their use is normalized in the classroom. These disadvantages
can be managed with strict rules and regulations on mobile phone use.
CONCLUSION
Library is the heart of the education activity. The universities and other educational
institutions in America and other nations now have virtual library for their students to
download book, journals etc, to read or for research purposes. Since distance learners do not
usually have libraries, virtual library has come to provide book collections to online learners,
even for conventional educational institutions online. This implies that any on-campus learner
or e-learners who have access to the internet will exploit the benefits of virtual library
globally from any location.
Virtual library is the product of rapid development in computer and telecommunication
technologies accessible from any part of the world. The awareness will enable those opting
for distance learning to exploit the benefits of these trends. It is therefore recommended that
the federal and state governments should make internet accessible from anywhere in their
country. This will enable people to utilize the education opportunities provided by the trends.
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