Educational technologies

Abstract

Even if the term is not a uniform one and is characterized by different disciplines, the use of (mostly computer-supported) devices and media for analyzing, designing and/or supporting teaching and learning processes can be subsumed under Educational Technologies. Educational technologies are very diverse and can be used on the levels of individual or collaborative learning, teaching, and even school organization. Despite efforts to build a technical infrastructure in schools, national educational monitoring indicates that the perceived ease of use of educational technologies has not increased as a result. The articles in this issue also illustrate the diversity of educational technologies. This diversity is accompanied by the fact that the conditions under which the respective technology unfolds the desired benefit are very heterogeneous and generalizable statements on the successful use of educational technologies can only be formulated with difficulty. Nevertheless, research efforts in the field of educational technologies seem to be worthwhile in order to exploit their potential for pedagogical and teaching processes.