Differences between Technology and Media

Differences between Technology and Media

Technology encompasses a wide array. Technology begins with the equipment that brings the computer and all its peripherals to life. One can think of the actual CPU, monitor, mouse and keyboard as the basics. Add to those pieces the web camera, projector, scanner, printer. Some may also add an interactive white board, and some classroom response systems. All of these items, used in conjunction make up a technology rich classroom. Using these components to allow students to get information at their fingertips, and store it for later use is all part of technology. All of these pieces of technology are important, but how does the information get to the student?

That’s where media comes in. The technology mentioned above is a big part of the picture, but it has to be accessible to the students. That is where the software, internet, video, audio, manipulatives and even the people come into play. Accessing the technology is what the media is used for, and that is the main difference. Technology keeps reinventing itself every few months; newer, faster, more compact desktops and laptops. Tablets are a newer member of this group, as well as the interactive white board. For the most part, technology is well defined, and just keeps improving. The software is what makes everything work, and is redone more often. It seems that one version of a software comes out and then soon after it is revised and improved. Media is what we use to run the technology.

Both media and technology have a role to play in the K-12 eLearning environment. It depends if the eLearning is done with the student completely online, only interacting with a teacher via the computer, or if eLearning is done in a traditional classroom setting with all the technological enhancements. Technology is the hardware that schools decide to purchase to give the students the most access to the digital world. Some school districts invest more heavily in computers, some like to add more of the accessories. Some feel that technology is so important, that they offer a wide variety of items from interactive white boards, to iPads for each student and Apple TV in the classroom. Media would vary from a basic use of text in reading something from a book, or online to incorporating video, and/or audio into a presentation. It would also include the use of people teaching to the whole class, or small groups, using visuals or manipulatives. An eLearning environment would be rich in both media and technology, giving the students the best chance at an education that would prepare them for their future.