Defining Educational Technology and other related terminologies

What is Educational Technology?

Academically speaking,  the study of educational technology prepares individuals by helping them acquire a deeper understanding and mastery of:

• learning resources: messages, people, materials, devices, techniques and settings;
• processes for analyzing and devising solutions to those problems through research, theory, design, production, evaluation, utilization;
• the processes involved in organization and personnel management.

The focus is on effective processes to facilitate learning using technologies and understanding the impacts of technology on learners and organizations.

Official definition  of Educational Technology:
The Association for Educational Communications and Technology, the professional society for ET, defines it as:

"Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources."

As a field, educational technology emphasizes communication skills and approaches to teaching and learning through the judicious use and integration of diverse media. Scholars in the field examine the uses of innovative media and technologies for education, examining all aspects from direct student learning to management and impacts on institutions. As in all forms of applied technology, the field studies how theoretical knowledge and scientific principles can be applied to problems that arise in a social context.

Other definitions:

Educational technology is the use of technology to improve education. It is a systematic, iterative process for designing instruction or training used to improve performance. Educational technology is sometimes also known as instructional technology or learning technology. (Wikipedia:Educational_technology)

The study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.

Educational Technology (Information Technology) according to International Technology Education Association

• Teaches with technology (uses technology as a tool)
• Primarily concerned with the narrow spectrum of information and communication technologies
• Primary goal: To enhance the teaching and learning process

Unacceptable definitions  of Educational Technology:

Technology that is used as tool in education ... it's not just technology.
Using multimedia technologies or audiovisual aids as a tool to enhance the teaching and learning process....its not just multimedia.
Field of education centered on the design and use of messages and physical support conditioning pedagogical situations and learning process.... its not just conditioning.

Other related terminologies:

Technology - means the systematic application of scientific or other organized knowledge to practical task.