The limits and possibilities of ICT in education

Abstract

I will begin this article by clarifying the concept of Educational Technology and its related terms. I will then go on to analyse the more conclusive results of research in this field in order to describe the projects in which I have been involved, where technology was used to produce innovation. This article does not mention any cognitive or educational “revolutionary experience”, since this would surpass the limits of what technology is capable of accomplishing.

Part of the education of the new generations has to be conservative, i.e., the experience and knowledge constructed by earlier generations has to be passed down. Disciplinary knowledge is an exemplary condensation of human effort and talent. How can technology support the transmission and acquisition of such knowledge? Besides being capable of using technology, should the new generations not also have a rational and educated discourse on the subject? Is this not the role of the school also? These are some of the main issues I wish to address.