What is Educational-Technology?

In Layman terms-Educational-Technology is any item, product or service, used as is off the shelf or customized, that is used to improve or maintain a students understanding.

Any item used to increase or improve the skill levels or capabilities of a student.  Any items used to deliver educational materials to a student.

Educational Technology defined-Any product or service used for the purpose of teaching.  Educational-Technology is used to enhance instructional materials for the student and teacher.  It enhances learning by addressing the different learning styles of the student.  It enables access to learning easier, and helps create an environment that promotes success.

Research on Educational-Technology-Teachers now have more valid methods to meet their mandates on teaching their students.  More than ever, educational technology tools  are bridging the gap between students needs and the teachers who provide those needs.  With educational technology tools, teachers are able to respond more effectively to the entire class room or to the individual differences represented in their classroom.

Examples of educational technology may include any of the following but is not limited to computer-assisted instruction such as online classes.  Some students need modifications to rules, policies, or practices to be successful in school.  The environmental adjustments, communication services and products, or auxiliary aids, and services that another student needs.  Some examples educational technology accommodations include, Braille material, audio/video taped lectures, educational games or software, and many other choices. Input and Output Device's which allow the student to enter information into a system such as a computer, and visual the results with more tactile or auditory feedback.

Imagine you or your student had vision problems.  A Screen Reader would alleviate many of the pit falls to this learning need.  It is either a software or hardware system that allows a student with a visual impairment to have access to printed material on a computer screen.   For any student, educational technology in one facet or another will improve how they learn.  It will also provide the teacher with more reliable methods to teaching the child.  They can relay information to students with more ease; provide alternative ways for students to articulate what they are learning; help teachers give individualize instruction based on student needs; and most importantly, improve students’ motivation and interest in learning.

Now imagine you had a student with speech impairments but could be mainstreamed in school with a Voice Recognition program or software.  VR is an electronic software/hardware system that is trained to recognize the user's voice patterns.  It is also used as an alternative to the keyboard for those who have limited physical motor skills.