THE ROLES OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN LEARNING

            Technology has many roles in learning. In terms of  traditional role, technology is a delivery vehicles for instructional lessons. In this role, he learner learns from the technology and the technology serves as a teacher. In other words, the learner learns the content presented by the technology  in the same way that the learner learns knowledge presented by the teacher.   From the traditional point of view, technology serves as source and presenter of knowledge and it is assumed that knowledge is embedded in  technology.

              From the constructionist point of  view, educational technology serves as learning tools that learners learn with.   It engages learners in" active, constructive, intentional, authentic, and cooperative learning. It provides opportunities for technology and learner interaction for meaningful learning.  Technology  serves as  supporter of knowledge construction such as representing learner's ideas, understanding and beliefs,producing organized,multimedia knowledge bases by learners. It serves as information  vehicles for exploring knowledge to support learning by constructing such as accessing needed information, comparing perspectives, beliefs and world views.

            It serves as context to support learning -by - doing like representing and simulating meaningful real- world problems,situation and contexts,defining a safe ,controllable problem space for student thinking.  It serves as a social medium to support learning by conversing like for  instance  collaborating with others, discussing, arguing,and building consensus among members of the community. It serves as  intellectual partner to support learning- by- reflecting such as helping learners articulate and represent what they know,reflecting of what they have learned and  how they come to know it,supporting learner's internal  negotiations  and meaning making.

          Whether  used from traditional or constructionist point of view,when used effectively, research indicates that technology increases student's learning, understanding, and achievement but also augments motivation to learn , encourages collaborative learning and supports the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

              By effectively using the technology, I can now apply my learning.