The Importance of Educational Technology to Pedagogy: The Relevance of Dewey

Abstract

It is commonly said that instructors must be in control of technology, and that technology needs experienced skilled educators with well-developed theories and ideas about its application. However, it seems that technology itself can be used as a driver of educational ideas and classroom practice, not vice versa. This idea can be generally applied to many situations. As educators we tend to feel that the use of technology must be subsumed within current educational practice, or that it is a supplement to already existing classroom techniques, however, technology is a powerful tool to not only improve education around the margins, but to drive real meaningful change.