The EdTech Daily

What is Educational Technology, or EdTech? Basically, it means using technology to enhance learning. This can include a teacher creating a power point presentation that includes images and video clips to illustrate a topic, a computer program that kids can use to practice skills, or even an online course that students can attend from any location. EdTech is also popularly known as E-Learning.

E-learning can be delivered via CD-ROM, Intranet, or the Internet. It can be text-based, or include graphics and animation, or even take place in a virtual environment. There are two basic forms of E-Learning: Synchronous, which means students attend courses at the same pace as other students, or Asynchronous, or Self Paced Learning, which means one student can take the course at their own pace without ever interacting with other students.

An emerging form of e-learning is called Blended Learning, and it combines different delivery methods. This is common on college campuses where lectures might be delivered once a week to the entire class, follow up discussions might take place in an online forum, and supplementary readings might be posted on the class homepage. This form of learning can combine the best of Traditional learning and distance learning.

Distance learning has been around since before World War II but its modern form of interactive Educational Technology has really become popular in the last 10 years. Although it is still a very new field it has already become an integral part of education and only seems to be growing each year.

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