Foundations of Educational Technology: Integrative Approaches and Interdisciplinary Perspectives

by J. Michael Spector

An engaging book for professional educators and an ideal textbook for certificate, masters, and doctoral programs in educational technology, instructional systems and learning design, Foundations of Educational Technology , Second Edition offers a fresh, interdisciplinary, problem-centered approach to the subject, helping students build extensive notes and an electronic portfolio as they navigate the text. The book addresses fundamental aspects of educational technology theory, research and practice that span various users, contexts and settings; includes a full range of engaging exercises for students that will contribute to their professional growth; and offers the following 4-step pedagogical features inspired by M. D. Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction : The second edition of this textbook covers the core objectives addressed in introductory educational technology courses while adding new sections on mobile learning, MOOCs, open educational resources, "big data," and learning analytics along with suggestions to instructors and appendices on effective writing, professional associations, journal and trade magazines.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

242 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2011

Reviews

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple to access text about what is or isn't educational technology, the risks of implementation, the rewards of implementation, and the general considerations that need to be taken into account before diving into technology. There are often anecdotes about design choices and risks/rewards but the value is in the easily accessible explanations of the field.

The text provides a launching point for surveying the field/profession and it provides many useful references and think pieces. Spector has written this text to help generate discussion in the classrooms and not to be the definitive text on the theories and applications of educational technology.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book presented a decent overview of the field and considerations associated with Educational Technology. The author is careful to define terms clearly and explicitly, and he presents a framework for thinking about EdTech based on 6 pillars: Communication, Interaction, Environment, Culture, Instruction, and Learning. The analysis of various scenarios presented throughout the book consistently hangs on these 6 points. Good for someone who wants to understand the booming field of EdTech and the issues associated with it.

[Elliedakota · Rating 5 out of 5]

Class assignment IDT500. Good intro to the field.

[Mohammad V Shahalizadeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is one of the best books in the ET, because it includes both theory and new trends and technologies. One of the great chapters is about ICT and another is Instructional Design Theories. I give it a big like and 5 stars. Thank you Author.

[Apostolos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty nice non-technology introduction to educational technology. It did a good job framing educational technology in an environment that is very volatile and rapid in change.