Abstract
This article seeks to contribute to the continuous reflection on the integration of technology into education. In order to accomplish this aim, the use of technology in the form of blended learning and online education will be utilised to illustrate how technology plays a central role in education today. It is argued that technology should not merely be viewed as a tool, but rather as a medium that shapes culture. Therefore, the integration of technology into education should be accompanied by continuous reflection on the identifiable characteristics of technology as medium that is not value-neutral or a disembedded force. To the contrary, technology is socially embedded and could be directly linked to other social developments and processes. The article therefore wishes to highlight the social embeddedness of technology by stressing how it is intertwined with other social developments like economy. In order to utilise technology more effectively and in a responsible manner in education, the nature thereof as medium should be reflected on. In light of the discussion on the technology as a socially embedded medium, the possible challenges and opportunities that it poses as medium to education, are identified and discussed. Specific reference is made on how theological education could benefit from educational technologies.
Highlights
The ongoing reflection on education and technology points to the diverse effect of technology on education
The primary aim of the article is to illustrate the complex nature of technology as medium
It is pivotal to understand the complex nature of technology in order to integrate it effectively and in a responsible manner into quality education
Summary
The ongoing reflection on education and technology points to the diverse effect of technology on education. This article will identify both possible challenges and opportunities that the integration of technology into education offers. A reflection on both the challenges and opportunities offered by technology in an educational environment prevents that we over- or underestimate the value of technology in education. The primary aim of the article is to illustrate the complex nature of technology as medium. It is pivotal to understand the complex nature of technology in order to integrate it effectively and in a responsible manner into quality education. The complex nature of technology is introduced to dissect the possible implications for education. The impact of utilising technology in education differs from context to context and specific reference is made to the implications in the South African context, followed by the opportunities technology offers with specific reference to theological education
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