The history of education technology
The history of education technology dates back to the previous century, as we take a look at the key historical events that set grounds for the evolution of education technology. The development started by the prompt in the topic paving the way for research on distance learning. One of the critical events has to be the research carried out in 1926 by scientist John S. Noffsinger. He researched distance learning, analyzing and evaluating the first comprehensive report on American correspondence study. This introduced the issue to everyone’s general interest out there, paving the way for the evolution of distance learning and education technology that has been occurring for the past century. The scientist who also supported the issue included Gayle B. Childs of Kansas State University, who was inspired by the research on distance study and later got approval from the Ford Foundation to undertake one of the first televised studies.
In Europe, scholars such as Börje Holmberg in Sweden and Otto Peters in Germany were among the first pace setters to pave the way for distance study. Their studies created awareness on distance study and thus setting the pace. Researchers, such as Peter, who worked at the Centre for research in Germany, invented distance learning institutions in various countries and later analyzed his findings. His work compared distance learning from multiple countries and came up with a theory that compares distance learning to industrialize education. These historical events were the pioneers of the research and evolution of distance study, further paving the way for online research. The concept developed by this researcher has made it possible for education technology to become an actualization. In the modern-day where technology has been integrated into every aspect of our lives, technology has played a considerable role in distance study.
As times change, it is essential to accept these changes as we adapt to new lifeways. The modernization of the world has brought the introduction of machines in education; this has brought about new ideas and a community of inquiry. The question and answers can be found at a platform where they organize this. This leads to the need for firm platforms for these interactions between the students; this grows the awareness of handling the issue. The Community of inquiry has been structured so that there has been an integration of distance learning, including online education and Higher studies.
Research carried out over the years enables this integration of the framework to make it easier for students to study as they can do it at their residence’s comfort. These studies show us that the Community of inquiry has a vital implication on the whole education sector. The framework is capable of inventing, assessing approaches and techniques used in online learning. By understanding this theory of Community of inquiry, one can understand the whole concept of the incorporation of education in technology.
This theory has influenced further study on the ways of using online research and how it can enhance critical thinking and improve the whole education system to give rise to higher levels of education. This model can be used even in public life to generate models and projections on specific issues, which will strengthen its systems as we prepare for the transition to the online education sector. This awareness has given light on issues that would seem harder to find; clearly, the theory plays a huge part in education technology; it might be the bridge that might connect the human mind to the next step towards intelligence.
One of the fundamental principles of learning from cognitive science is an independent study; It’s an educational program where learning occurs in different location and time from the teaching program. The learner has a fair chance of determining responses and decisions. There are very many ways of engaging in independent study; a learner can study by himself if they can formulate and achieve objectives on their own. The question of if self-knowledge either gained by repetition or observing, would it count as independent learning?
To understand this in-depth, we need to relate the individual’s situation and focus on his cognitive study on the issue. To undertake independent learning, one must possess a couple of principles to help him through. In this case, we talk about self-determination, it applies to the whole education structure; one has to be self-determined to study and learn something. Intrinsic motivation has to come from within, and nobody can artificially give it, countless studies and research have supported this statement. This theory has been used in teaching for years by lecturers and teachers where they engage the students to share their interests to develop intrinsic self-determination.
This provides a balance too in class as the lecturers use students’ interactions to engage students who might not be attentive in class. However, intrinsic motivation can be converted to irrelevant based on the environment and the learner’s mind. Therefore, it’s necessary to have a personal reason to be able to counter all the brain’s tactics to be able to pursue independent learning. This motivation has impacted modern online education; as the students embrace the ease of these modern techniques, it raises their intrinsic motivation.