Educational technology in the 21st century should focus on student-centered learning, collaboration, and contextual learning. It can support this new approach in three key ways: by developing 21st century skills through comprehensive technology use, innovating teaching and learning through technology, and creating robust education support systems. Important functions of educational technology include improving teaching and learning, analyzing the teaching-learning process, enhancing educational goals, training teachers, developing curricula and teaching materials, and identifying ways to improve communication and help disadvantaged students.

1. ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE 21st
CENTURY EDUCATION

2. 21st Century.
Globalization has open up the
world and allowed people to
connect and in new and exciting
ways.

3. The following can be
considered in deciding how
education will look in our
schools and classrooms.

4. 1. Instruction should be student-centered
Instead of passively receiving information, the students would gather
information on their own.
2. Education should be collaborative
Students are expected to work with groups to share their ideas and
have something to take from others.
3. Learning should have context
Student-centered does not mean that the teacher gives up all control
of the classroom. Students are encouraged to learn in different ways,
the teacher still provides guidance as to the skills that needs to be
acquired.

5. Three broad areas as a
fundamental building block into
Education:

6. Use technology comprehensively:
To develop proficiency in 21st
century skills.
To support innovative teaching
and learning.
To create robust education
support system.

7. Important functions of Educational
Technology

8. 1. Improvement of Teaching
Tries to find out the different variables of teaching, their interlinks,
effects upon each other etc.
2. Analysis of Teaching-Learning Process
Education Technology aims at analyzing the process of teaching-
learning thoroughly.
3. Improvement of Learning
Facilitates more and more learning in less time.
4. Enhancing Goals of Education
Objectives of education are being reviewed and revised with the passage
of time.
5. Training to Teachers
The change of environment with new curriculum and new materials is
to be handled by the teachers.
6. Development of Curriculum
Keeping in view the objectives of Education which have been finalized
by educational technology.

9. 7. Development of Teaching-Learning Materials
It has to be in accordance with the environment of the learners.
8. Teaching-Learning Strategies
the strategy has to be the right one, which should be according t
o the materials.
9.Development of audio-visual Aids
Need to be used according to the times and "to be used in
present type of teaching-learning environment”.
10. Help in overall Improvements
Helps to locate the problems in the different areas of education.
11. Identification of Needs of the Communications
Helps to provide equal education opportunities to backward
people, disadvantaged students and deprived sections of the
society.