Defining the Field

The evolution of the definition of educational technology or instructional technology or instructional design and technology, as chronicled in the book, provided me with justification for having difficulty defining my own thoughts about our field. I think each of the definitions presented where relevant in the time period they were created. I have to admit that I found the 2008 definition by the AECT committee more along the lines of how I would define educational technology. I thought including “ethical practices” was an important aspect of educational technology not mention previously. My definition of educational technology (I personally like educational technology than instructional design and technology) as it relates to my work environment is a follows:

Educational technology is the study and analysis of learning and performance by designing, implementing, evaluating, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.