The document provides an introduction to educational technology, defining it as the study and practice of facilitating learning through appropriate technological processes and resources. It discusses the history of technology in education from educational films and programmed instruction to modern learning management systems and learning analytics. Examples are given of educational technology projects at Tallinn University focusing on areas like coaching environments, interactive playdesks, and online learning platforms.

1. Introduction to educational 
technology
Mart Laanpere, head of the Centre for Educational Technology, Tallinn University

2. Prologue
 Conference joke: Rip van Winkle would survive as a teacher
 Technological innovations in education as “silver bullets”:
radio, transparencies, VHS, PowerPoint slides, Moodle, ...
 Advertaisement of IWB SmartBoard: the technology that does
not require changing your teaching style
 Laptop schools experiment in Estonia 2009/2010
 Steve Jobs & Bill Gates: educational system has not been
influenced by technological innovation
 Educational technology: merely technological devices?

3. What is educational technology?

4. Educational technology: definitions
 In European contintental languages, the term ‘didactics’ is used
for “art and science of teaching”
 “Technology in education” vs “technology of education”
 Technology: the systematic application of scientific knowledge
to practical tasks
 Variety of definitions: EduTechWiki
 AECT definition by M.Molenda: the study and ethical practice of
facilitating learning and improving performance by
creating, using, and managing appropriate technological
processes and resources.

5. Change in learning environment
 Learning environment: range of contexts, components and
activities in which learning occurs. Four dimensions: physical,
relationships, structures and expectations, language and
communication
 Taken for granted, that’s why reform pedagogies usually start
from breaking down the traditional LE (Pestalozzi, Montessori,
Steiner, open classroom…)
 Historical learning environments: Socrates and peripathetikos,
apprenticeship, Rousseau Emile, early village schools
 The first virtual learning environments: 3D copy of classroom

6. Virtual learning environments
Dimension 1.generation 2.generation 3.generation
Software Educational software Course management Digital Learning
architecture systems Ecosystems
Pedagogical Bihaviorism Cognitivism Knowledge building,
foundation connectivism
Content Integrated with code Learning Objects, Mash-up, remixed,
management content packages user-generated
Dominant E-textbook, drill & Sharing LO’s, forum Reflections, collab.
affordances practice, tests discussions, quiz production, design
Access Computer lab in Home computer Everywhere – thanks
school to mobile devices

7. History of technology in education
 1900: educational films
 B.F.Skinner: programmed instruction
 Seymour Papert (MIT, 1970): LOGO
 Educational media booms: radio, TV, MC, VHS, internet
 Distance education: form correspondence studies to Open Uni
 Instructional design: military training
 E-learning: Web-based learning environments
 Learning analytics: “the hottest topic” from 2011

8. Bloom’i taksonoomia ja iPad

9. The main research strands in ET today
 Learning environments: LMS, PLE, e-portfolio, mobile, smart
 Content: standards, interoperability, design, e-textbook
 Methods: serious gaming, self-directed learning
 Learning analytics: digital footprint, privacy, visualization
 Semantic web: annotation, learner models, recommendation
 Learning theories: connectivism, social learning, knowledge
building, learning styles, cognitive load, communities of inquiry

10. Examples of our projects
 Dictum: coaching environment for middle manager training
 Paytec: interactive playdesk
 SELEAG: adventure game to learn European history
 Edufeedr: aggregator for blog-based courses
 Digimina: self- & peer-assessment tool for teachers’ digital
competencies
 Dippler: a next-gen online learning platform, digital learning
ecosystem

11. One question
 Formulate one question about educational
technology: what confuses you or makes you
curious about?

12. Future trends: Educause Horizon report
 Time to adoption: One Year or Less
 Mobile Apps
 1:1 Tablet Computing
 Time to adoption: Two to Three Years
 Game-based Learning
 Learning Analytics
 Time to adoption: Four to Five Years
 Gesture-based Computing
 Internet of Things
 Timeline: www.educationfutures.com/resources/timeline

13. Educational technology studies
 In USA (PennState, Syracuse, Illinois) since 1970-ties, In NL
(UTwente) since 1993, in Finland (Oulu & Jyväskylä) since 1999
 Qualifications: instructional designer (military training, content
providers, service providers), training manager, IT
support, educational software developer
 MA programme in TLU (since 2010)
 12 students enrolled annually, mixed-mode studies
 Curriculum: Project management, Research
methods, Instructional design, Learning environments and
learning networks, Composing digital learning
resources, Innovation management, Evaluation and research in
EdTech, Knowledge management, Observation practice

14. Internet hunt (Web quest)
 Where can one attend a degree program in ed.
technology 100% online?
 Find a profile of a person, working as an
instructional designer, and describe his/her main
competencies
 How does the metadata harvesting work in
European Schoolnet’s LRE portal?