"Roles and functions of educational technology in the 21st century education"

1. ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN
THE 21ST
CENTURY

2. INTRODUCTION
The “21st
century” has become the central part of
educational thinking and planning for the future.
Globalization has opened up the new world and allowed
people to connect in new and exciting ways. We blend
traditions and create unique belief systems that are not
taught in any classroom, but are developed through our
life experiences and passions. We transmit our values
and cultures without the expectation of them being
adopted by our audience – just accepted by them.

3. The following can be considered when deciding how education will
look like in our schools and classrooms :
Instruction should be student-centered
Student- centered learning is strongly encouraged
in the 21st
century, this does not mean that the teacher
can never give a lecture again. Education is no longer
about listening to the teacher talk and absorbing the
information.

4. Education should be collaborative
Students must learn how to collaborate with others, Society
today has people collaborating across the globe. How can students
be expected to works with people from other cultures, with
different values from their own, if they are not able to work with
the people they see each day in their classroom? Students should
be encouraged to work together to discover information, piece it
together, and construct meaning. Collaboration should also be
dynamic.

5. Education should have context
Students- centered does not mean that
the teacher gives up all the control of the
classroom. While students are encouraged
to learn in different ways the teacher still
provides guidance as to the skills that need
to be acquired. The teacher can make a
point of helping students to understand how
the skills they are building can be applied in
their lives.

6. There is a call for action to integrate technology as a
fundamental building block into education in three
broad areas:
Use technology comprehensively to
develop proficiency in 21st
century skill.
Use technology comprehensively to
support innovative teaching and learning.
Use technology comprehensively to create
robust education support systems .

7. Important functions of Educational Technology
Improvement of Teaching
Educational technology analysis the
process of teaching thoroughly. It tries to
find out the different variables of teaching,
their interlinks, effects upon each other,
relationships, theories of teaching , phases
of teaching, principles of teaching, maxims
of teaching, etc. by developing the theories
of teaching, it helps in improving the quality
of education.

8. Analysis of the Teaching- Learning Process
Educational Technology aims at
analyzing the process of teaching-learning
thoroughly. It tries to find out the different
variables of teaching their interlinks effect
upon each other, relationship etc.

9. Improvement of Learning
Educational Technology analysis the
process learning and the related theories
facilitates more and more of learning in
less time. It takes the help of various
empirically established generalizations
from psychology, sociology, physical
sciences, engineering.

10. Enhancing Goals of Education
The objectives of education are being
reviewed and revised with the passage of
time. Educational technology helps in
finding out the right objectives.

11. Training of Teachers
The changed type of environment with
new curriculum and new materials is to be
handled by the teachers.

12. Development of Curriculum
Curriculum is the total teaching-
learning environment, which has to be
modified and remodeled in the light of
latest thoughts. Educational Technology
can do this job of developing a suitable
curriculum appropriately.

13. Development of Teaching-Learning Materials
Teaching-learning materials are also
as important as anything else in the
teaching- learning process. they have to
be in accordance with the environment of
the learners. In this age of science and
technology, the materials of teaching
cannot be scientific.

14. Teaching -Learning Strategies
A strategies plays an important role in
the hands of teacher in every teaching-
learning situation. The strategy has to be
right one, which should be according to
the materials and is able to bring about
effective teaching learning.

15. Development of Audio-Visual Aids
Audio-Visual aids have always played
an important role in the teaching-learning
process. They need be used according to
the times. The software aids, the hardware
aids, the computer and other such as
appliances, equipment etc., have "to be
used in the present type of teaching-
learning environment

16. Help in Overall Improvements
Educational Technology helps in
locating the problems in the different areas
of education. It also helps in remedying
the draw-backs. Evaluation of the teaching
learning process is also made better
control over the process of education.

17. Identification of Needs of the Community
Educational Technology identifies the
needs of the community. It helps in
providing equal education opporunities to
backward people, disadvantaged students
and deprived sections of the society.