Educational Technology is a precious field constantly changing to enhance the learning experience. It is the integration of technology into the field of education to help aid in the learning process. Ed Tech is comprised of hardware, software, content, and methodologies. Educational technology has fundamentally transformed the landscape of education. I learned that educational technology encompasses various technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, interactive elements, learning management systems, and e-learning tools.
Virtual Reality is a technology that helps create an immersive digital environment that people can interact with using a headset. It allows students to travel virtually by visiting historical sites or exploring museums. VR can help train students pursuing health science or aviation careers without the associated risks. Augmented reality allows for an interactive experience by combining the real world with digital content. An example of this would be scanning a page in your textbook to view a video of a lab experiment rather than reading about it.
Over the past few years, several interactive tools have been created to increase overall success in the classroom. Kahoot! is an educational website that combines gamification elements to assess students’ knowledge through quizzes or polls. It is a competitive game that awards points based on how fast the student correctly answers a question. Quizlet is an interactive tool students can use to study course content through flashcards, quizzes, or practice quizzes. I enjoy using Quizlet to study for my upcoming exams.
Learning Management Systems are the central hub for course materials, assignments, assessments, and communication. Instructors can easily create, upload, and manage their course content for students to navigate easily. It also allows instructors to review learning analytics to gauge a student’s performance. Also, Ed Tech has positively impacted e-learning tools by increasing collaboration and engagement. Examples of e-learning tools are Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace (including Docs, Sheets, and Slides). These tools allow individuals to communicate and collaborate in real time, regardless of location. These tools became quite popular during the pandemic and are still widely used in education.
I plan on enrolling in a master’s program to become a State College or University professor. This course has exposed me to the benefits and weaknesses of using Educational Technology. As someone who hopes to teach Educational Technology courses, I plan on incorporating VR/AR field trip experiences as a fun way to expose my students to these technologies. Also, I will utilize Google Workspace to have my students complete group assignments so they can work together in real-time. I advocate for game-based learning, so I will use Kahoot! to host my study guide review sessions as an interactive way to capture what must be clarified before exam day. Last but not least, I would like to require my students to produce an ePortfolio to publish their work. I have enjoyed this requirement at UF and would like to continue the tradition at my future school. I hope to create a rewarding educational experience for my future students.