Educational Technology: Evolution, Impact and Challenges in Venezuelan Education

Abstract

In recent decades, technology has undergone a dizzying evolution, radically changing traditional paradigms in various fields, including education. The objective of this research was to examine the definition, historical evolution, relevance, and pedagogical models related to educational technology, as well as the challenges and opportunities it presents in the Venezuelan educational context. This essay was framed under the inductive method, within the humanistic paradigm, with a qualitative, interpretive approach and a narrative topic design. From the first experiments with videotapes to today's virtual reality, ICTs have transformed the way we teach and learn. Educational technology, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is an organized process that leverages technological and human resources to improve education. Therefore, the importance of this tool lies in its ability to personalize learning, foster collaboration, and provide access to quality information. However, its effective implementation faces challenges such as the digital divide, teacher training, and adequate technological infrastructure. In this context, pedagogical models such as disruptive education seek to transform traditional methodologies, leveraging new technologies to generate more meaningful learning experiences. Therefore, it is essential that teachers adapt to these changes and that governments invest in infrastructure and teacher training.