Educational Technology: Global Implementation Strategies, Policy Review and Analysis

R C Sharma, PhD

ISODE conference (International Forum on Open and Distance Education) to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of China Central Radio & TV University and

the 10th Anniversary of modern distance education.October 16-17 to the 2009

BEIJING, CHINA

Parallel Session 1 (Institutional Efficiency) 17th Oct, 2009

Educational Technology

• In general terms the technology is described as a technique or process used to lead to the achievement of a certain objective.

• In the educational settings, such processes or techniques constitute educational technology which facilitates learning and teaching process.

Applications to education field

• Various means of educational technology are adopted in the teaching learning settings for transmission of information, concept clarification, and skills development etc.

• What is more important here is the appropriateness of the application to right technology to suit the objectives of learning, content of learning, teaching and learning context and the target group.

Growth

• From the ancient times of clay tablets to markings on the wall to explain an issue, technology has witnessed huge development in terms of technique or hardware or software.

• From clay tablets to papyrus to paper to books, films, audio tapes, radio, television, computers, CD-ROMs, Internet and satellites and web-based social networking developments like Second Life (www.secondlife.com) etc.

Forms of educational technology

• Print: Textbooks, Pictures, charts, Self Instructional Material and Tele-text.

• Audio: Audio tape, Radio, Audio vision , Radio-phone in Audio conferencing, Audio graphics, Telephone

• Video: Videotape, Television, Cable Television, Interactive TV, Video Teleconferencing

• 3-D models: Physical objects, simulated models, Home kits, Computer generated 3D models

• Multimedia: Web-based technology, Internet, Videotext

POLICIES FOR EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Some examples

National Council for Educational Technology for the United Kingdom (NCET)

• Educational Technology as the development, application and evaluation of systems, techniques and aids to improve the process of human learning.

Commission on Instructional Technology, USA

• Educational Technology as a systematic way of designing, implementing and evaluating the total process of learning and teaching in terms of specific objectives,

• based on research in human learning and communication and

• employing a combination of human and non-human resources to bring about more effective instructions.

National Centre for Programmed Learning, UK

• Educational Technology as the application of scientific knowledge about learning, and the conditions of learning, to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching and training.

What we see from these three cases

one of the main feature of educational technology is to improve the efficiency of the process of learning

STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING TECHNOLOGY

• Use of social networking technologies• Apply that technology which engages

student • Explore before using a technology • Sharing the technology details• Join a Forum or listserv• Blogging• Change of mindset

TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION IN DIFFERENT NATIONS

CANADA

• Canada has implemented several projects like “Connecting Canadians”, “Smart Community”, “Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC)” and “Canadian Opportunities Strategy”

ARGENTINA

• The S&T International Council (GACTEC) of Argentina determines national technology policy and decides budget allocations.

• GACTEC's members include all ministers with portfolios like Culture and Education, Economy, Defense, Health, and Public Works and Services.

• In Latin America, it has the most computer power per capita (7,880 MIPS per 1,000 people) and the greatest number of connections to the Internet (3.08 hosts per 1000 people).

JAPAN

• The introduction of new Science and Technology Basic Law by the Japanese government in 1995 has been a milestone.

• The government of Japan has take great interest in allocating adequate money and strengthening research institutions for promoting technology policy.

• Other strategies to promote technology include tax benefits, and funding of R&D projects for high-tech and emerging industries such as biotechnology, software, and telecommunications.

CHINA

• Now a days, whenever you go to market, you must have seen Chinese products.

• Chinese products have captured the market by making products for all walks of life be it consumer electronics or food or ornaments or toys or furniture or even automobiles.

• The People's Republic of China is on the fast track of becoming a global technological superpower.

• The basic research capabilities and large young workforce have been the main reason behind this success of China.

• Microelectronics, biotechnology, information technologies, and industrial automation are fastest emerging areas in China.

AUSTRALIA

• The priority areas for Australian government are investing in innovation.

• It supports providing incentives for private industry to such investments.

• The Government of Australia has believed in maintaining a high quality public sector research infrastructure, maximizing the practical application of the science base to industry, and encouraging greater innovation by business.

NEW ZEALAND

• In August 1996, the government of New Zealand decided its strategy for research, science, and technology in RS&T: 2010, The Government's Strategy for Research, Science and Technology, with the objective to "provide a strategic context for investment in science by the government, and … to encourage the skills and motivation which will make science and technology work for our national benefit".

FINLAND

• Finland has a very important place in technology applications and products.

• If you use a cellular phone, you must have seen or used the handsets produced by Nokia company of Finland.

• The Finland's technology policies are directed towards strengthening the competitiveness of prime industries and to generate new products, jobs, and businesses.

• It is world leader in cellular phone users and in terms of Internet hosts (118 Internet hosts per 1,000 inhabitants) it is second just to the United States of America.

SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM IMPACT OF ET POLICY

Short term impact

• Responds to student needs and expectations

• Serves a diverse student body, including students from academically disadvantaged backgrounds and students with different learning styles and needs

• Contributes towards professional staff development

Long term impact

• curriculum development

• institutional strategy and planning processes

• research development

• human resources development

• quality assurance policies and processes

POLICY REVIEW AND ANALYSIS

• Educational Technology policy must be focused on pedagogy

• Incentives and rewards for the innovative and effective use of ET

• ET for enhancing student learning• ET for enabling and supporting staff

development • Integrative approach to the use of ETs • Researching the field of educational

technology

CONCLUSIONS

• Integration of technology to the curriculum • emphasis should be on interesting and

innovative use of curriculum- linked activities• Worldwide Open Standards are gaining

popularity • ET must lead to the development of a

common framework based on institutional adopted open standards

Thank You

Namaste!