Define "technology"

I received an interesting request in yesterday’s e-mail:

The [technology planning team] would like a definition of 'technology'. We're looking at educational tech, av, library, business, communications.  None of them are totally tech, but certainly there are tech needs in every one.  So, the team needs a working definition of technology in schools so we can [discuss budgeting] on Thursday.

So, does ISTE have an official definition of technology? Do you have a definition you would use (especially as related to budgeting and planning for technology in schools)?

Last time I thought much about this was in response to a request from our district's Technology Education teachers that my department refer to itself and its resources as Instructional Technology or Educational Technology, rather than just "technology":

April 23. 1997

Hi Jeff and Mike,

I received your memos regarding the definition of technology and our use of the word in our district communications. While I understand and even agree with the logic of many of your arguments, the educational profession does not seem to separate “technology” from “educational technology.” As evidence, I am attaching photocopies of covers of national magazines, state publications, regional publications and federal publications which all use in their titles the term “technology” instead of “educational technology.”

I would suggest that “technology” is a generic term that could (and should) be applied to nearly any device or invention humans use to increase their abilities to learn, work or play. Books, lathes, snowmobiles, and mouse traps, as well as computers, are all “technology.”

I would argue that to restrict ourselves to only the terms “educational technology” or “instructional technology” is both limiting and inaccurate. Our staff and students do use technologies that can be termed “educational” technology - instructional computer programs, videotapes, and printed texts. But also they also use:

• “communication” technology - fax machines, word processors, e-mail, and interactive video;
• “information” technology - on-line databases, CD-ROM reference materials, and cable television programming: and
• “business” technology - student record keeping systems, financial packages, and intranets

A single device (like a computer) or even a program (like a database), depending on its use, could fit into any or all of these categories. It would make no more sense for my department to only refer to what we work with as “educational” technology, than it would for your department to only use the term “industrial” technology. Our technology committees and technology coordinators do, in fact, work with a far broader spectrum of technologies than just computers, and so are aptly named.

I will agree that too many educators when they hear the word “technology” think only of computers, and that all educators don't have a clear understanding or philosophy of how technology can best be used in education. These shortcomings will only change as teachers have experiences using different technologies in multiple ways.

In the long run, I suspect what we call our tools will have a far smaller impact on our students’ lives and our community than how we use our tools. I am comfortable using “technology” in communications unless a more specific term is needed for clarity.

 I appreciate the time you’ve taken to express your views on this issue.

Doug

While I still think “technology is a generic term that could (and should) be applied to nearly any device or invention humans use to increase their abilities to learn, work or play"  is still true, it's not terribly practical since by this definition, the “technology” department would wind up budgeting for desks, pencils, library books, etc. as well as stuff that plugs in an goes beep.

What counts as technology in your school? 

Comments

[Tom Hoffman]

One good functional definition might be:

technology: things that are likely to break.

[John Pederson]

Technology: That which was invented after you were born.

I remember trying to come up with a formal definition for technology. That was when we were still arguing Mac vs. PC. Big kid issues. Not anything that is important to our students.

[Doug Johnson]

For planning purposes, technology is defined as those elements useful and/or desirable to support educational activities at the Academy, including, but not limited to:

Computers; Operational Software; Educational software; Printers; Network connections; Broadband video access; Video Cameras; Scanners; Projectors; Internet access’s and DVD burners; Video conferencing; Media distribution system; Personal digital assistants (PDA); AA Web site; Access to technology outside of class time for school work; technology requiring network or computer capability. Jill Brown

_____________

"educational technology" means tools used in the educational process that constitute learning resources and may include closed circuit television systems, educational television and radio broadcasting, cable television, satellite, copper and fiber optic transmission, computer, video and audio laser and CD ROM [CD-ROM] discs, video and audio tapes or other technologies and the training, maintenance, equipment and computer infrastructure information, techniques and tools, used to implement technology in classrooms and library and media centers. (State of New Mexico legislative language)

[Kenn Gorman]

I have been trying to come up with something that a freshman in high school could understand and use, and this is what I have so far:
Technology -
Solves a problem (usually something new that is not of your design)
Improve a current solution (something you do now that could be done better or faster)
Achieve a goal (a personal choice or decision)

Funny how I was given this link when I did a search for technology...

[Doug Johnson]

Kenn,

When you come up with your definition, let me know!

Doug