Research Into The History Of American Educational Technology

American educational technology consists of two main parts. One is media technology, the other is instructional design. The origin of media technology is the object education in the end of 19 century and early 20 century. Object Education evolved into Audiovisual Education later with its development. Because of Audiovisual Education's integrating into the educational reform of Progressive Education, It became a movement in school systems during the early 20 century. Under the influence of the communication theory , Audiovisual Education evolved into Audiovisual communication in 1950s.Instructional Design is the systematic planning of instruction. At its initial stage, The evolution of Instructional Design was the process of psychologization of instruction. In 1960s, Instructional Design became a professional field , which the frame structure is system theory, the basis is learning theory, the methods are the whole techniques of behavior objects, task analysis, measurement and evaluation, scientific management, systematic engineering and so on.In 1960s, scholars of American educational technology asserted educational technology should consist of media technology and instructional systematic technique in order to make Audiovisual Communication to become a professional field. The 1972's definition which Association of Educational Communication and Technology is the mark of the formation of integrated educational technology.Reviewing the development of American educational technology, we discovered that its theories and practices could provide us many reference and valuable experiences, on the other hand, there are some problems during the development of American educational technology which we should reflect seriously.