by Patti Wilson

Educational Technology is the teaching of technology According to Aziz (2010), “Educational technology is the considered implementation of appropriate tools, techniques, or processes that facilitate the application of senses, memory, and cognition to enhance teaching practices and improve learning outcomes.” The formal definition of Educational Technology has changed through history as the technology itself has changed (Reiser & Ely, 1997)

Instructional Technology is the teaching through a variety of technological teaching tools to improve student understanding thus increasing learning. Many argue there are two types of definitions for Instructional Technology The first associates Instructional Technology with various audio visual devices The second consider Instructional Technology a “systems approach process.”(Gagne,1987)

According to Seels & Richey (1994) the definition of “Instructional Technology is the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning.”

Educational TechnologyInstructional Technology Teaches about technologyTeaches through technology Concerned with a vast array of technology, especially, innovations, changes, and modifications to technology Concerned with a more narrow scope of technology as used for communication Goal – to increase students understanding of technology Goal- to better the teachers delivery and the students learning process (

Aziz, Hap (2010). “The 5 Keys to Educational Technology.” THE Journal Media Incorporated. keys-to-educational-technology.aspxtt In this article, Aziz gives his definition of Educational Technology and adds 5 components to his definition. Dugger, W., & Naik, N. (2001, September). clarifying misconceptions between technology education. The Technology Teacher, 61(1), Retrieved from Volume61/duggernaik_sept01.pdf This article explains the differences between Educational Technology and Instructional Technology

Gagne, R. (Ed.). (1987). Instructional technology foundations. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc This book, among much valuable information, gives the differences in opinion on what constitutes Instructional Technology Reiser, R., & Ely, D. (1997). The field of educational technology as reflected through its definitions. Educational Technology Research and Development, 45(3), Retrieved from doi: /BF This journal article explains how the definition of Educational Technology has changed over time as technology has changed. Seels, B., & Richey, R. (1994). Instructional technology: the definition and domains of the field. Bloomington, Indiana: Association for Educational Communications and Technology This paperback explores Instructional technology including the evaluation of resources for learning