The Origins of Educational Technology

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Papers on this panel attempt to provide nuanced accounts about the early formative period of educational technology in public education in the early twentieth century. Our work spans the origins of educational film distribution structures, the use of audio aids in order to teach listening to young people as a new form of media literacy, and how educational technology experiments created the foundation for public broadcasting in the U.S. Setting up a framework for educational technologies included many facets. By looking at the ideals, decisions, implementation, and reception of instructional technologies from institutional, policy, and educational perspectives, this panel endeavors to unpack some of their complexities, ideals, and actualities.

Sub Unit

• Division F - Historical Inquiry in Education

Chair

• Robert A. Reiser, Florida State University

Papers

• Consolidating the Educational Film Infrastructure: University Extension and the Federal Government, 1920-1940 - Alex Kupfer, New York University

• Educational Technologies and Listening as Media Literacy - Brian Gregory, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Education’s Original “Public Radio Programs”: The Rocky Mountain Radio Council, 1937-1950 - Josh Shepperd, The Catholic University of America

Discussant

• Stephen Petrina, The University of British Columbia