Ross, S., Morrison, G., Lowther, D. (2010). Educational technology research past and present: Balancing rigor and relevance to impact school learning. Contemporary Educational Technology, 1(1), 17-25.
Summary
The article explores the history of educational technology research, highlighting the balance between scientific accuracy and practical use. It covers the evolution from early technology like films, and early computer programs to modern technologies such as online learning, educational games, social networking, and classroom technology integration. The authors stress the importance of studying how technology impacts learning by using a combination of quantitative (data-driven) and qualitative (observation-based) research methods to gain a complete understanding of its effects on education.
Evaluation
The authors present a clear overview of educational technology research, highlighting the importance of balancing scientific accuracy with practical application. They make a strong case for using mixed research methods, like combining data analysis with observations, to better understand how technology impacts learning. While the article explains this balance well, it would have been helpful if they included more real-world examples showing how this balance works in practice. The critique of past research is insightful, particularly their point that too much focus has been placed on comparing different types of media, which overlooks the fact that it’s the teaching methods and content that have the greatest impact on learning, not the media itself.
Reflection
This article made me rethink the role of technology in education, emphasizing that technology alone doesn’t improve learning, it’s how we integrate it into teaching that matters. It’s a good reminder for us (educators) to carefully choose and evaluate the tools we use to ensure they enhance learning outcomes. The focus on mixed-methods research also stood out to me, as it highlights that data alone, like grades, doesn’t fully capture whether real learning is happening. Looking at both data and student experiences provides a more complete picture of how technology affects learning.