What is Educational Technology? Unpacking the Role of EdTech in the Era of AI

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, technology has consistently reshaped how we learn, perform, and innovate across sectors. But for institutions and businesses, the question isn't just "Which technology?" but rather, "How can we use technology to enhance human performance effectively and reliably?"

Here, Educational Technology (EdTech) and Human Performance Technology (HPT) intersect, offering a powerful skill set for those looking to leverage AI-driven advancements for impactful, measurable outcomes.

Bridging the Gap: What is EdTech, and How Does It Relate to HPT?

When people ask me, "What is Educational Technology?" I often struggle to find a concise answer to such a complex field. EdTech isn't merely about experimenting with technology to facilitate learning—it's a multifaceted field that applies technology broadly defined to elevate teaching, learning, and skill acquisition.

But in the business world, where "learning outcomes" transform into "performance metrics," we encounter HPT, a framework that broadens EdTech’s principles beyond the classroom to any area of human performance, making it a crucial tool for corporate efficiency and productivity enhancement.

By adopting a systems-oriented perspective, both EdTech and HPT drive practical results, whether in educational settings focused on student learning or business environments seeking operational efficiency. Just as instructional designers use EdTech to achieve educational outcomes, businesses employ HPT to identify and close performance gaps. The connection is clear: technology, strategically implemented, can bridge development with results, making HPT as vital to business as EdTech is to education.

Why EdTech and HPT Professionals Act as Wayfinders

Acting as navigators, professionals in EdTech and HPT guide organizations through the sea of technology. We act as interlocutors between developers and end-users to translate technological possibilities into realistic solutions. This guidance is especially critical today, with AI promising everything to everyone. Yet, without a critical approach to technology selection, organizations risk being swept up by marketing buzzwords, vaporware, and unmet promises.

For example, when adopting AI tools, it’s essential to evaluate not only their immediate capabilities but also their alignment with long-term goals—be it increased learning engagement in schools or enhanced productivity in a corporate setting. The role of EdTech/HPT professionals is to filter through the hype, focusing on measurable, context-relevant results that resonate with institutional or organizational objectives.

The Lighthouse Approach: Steering Clear of Barriers

This is where I see the value of approaching technology adoption in stages, especially within the innovation-adoption curve popularized by Rogers. Early-stage technology may seem exciting but often lacks the maturity needed for stable, widespread adoption. My recommendation to companies and educational institutions is to be a late-stage early adopter. Embrace new technologies only after initial trials reveal their practicality and potential for scalability, ensuring that investments lead to tangible, consistent outcomes. This one tip will save your company thousands, and possibly tens of thousands of dollars in wasted effort!?

AI is at the late stage of early adoption right now. New advancements in AI keep coming, but there is enough time-tested AI technology to build practical, reliable, and game-changing systems for businesses and educational institutions. EdTech and HPT professionals like Innovate AI Systems help you take advantage of this technology.?

If you want to surf that AI adoption curve, you need to be ahead of the peak. Have an EdTech / HPT professional with you to show you how to ride that wave without getting smashed into the shore.?

Practical Insights: How EdTech and HPT Strategies Translate into Organizational Success

Here are some actionable insights for institutions and organizations looking to leverage EdTech and HPT effectively:

1. Pilot First, Invest Later: Begin with a pilot project to evaluate the technology’s effectiveness before implementing it across the organization. This minimizes risk and allows for adjustments based on real feedback.
2. Define Performance Goals Upfront: Whether in an educational or business context, clarity on what "success" looks like helps align technology with desired outcomes, setting up metrics that resonate with institutional objectives. These are your North Star and set the direction you want to move in.?
3. Adopt a Systems Perspective: Consider how a technology fits within existing workflows or educational practices. The integration should enhance overall performance, not disrupt it.
4. Focus on Skills, Not Just Tools: With AI or any new technology, ensure that training includes contextual skills that help users understand not just how to use a tool but why it’s effective in achieving their goals. For example, we always include live, personal training when developing an AI solution for a client. Giving the team an AI tool without any training would be like giving someone all the disassembled parts for a bookshelf without the instruction guide.
5. Foster Cross-Functional Communication: Successful EdTech and HPT initiatives often require input from multiple stakeholders, from IT and curriculum designers to HR and operations. Experienced EdTech / HPT professionals are adept at bringing these teams together and helping them understand common ground, and mediating through disagreements in priorities.?

Case in Point: AI and the 80/20 Principle in HPT and EdTech

In both education and business, generative AI exemplifies the need for a systems-oriented approach. AI can handle 80% of repetitive tasks—such as creating initial drafts of content, automating grading, or generating basic reports—but the remaining 20% requires human intervention to add contextual nuance. This is especially true in EdTech, where the subtleties of student engagement or individual learning needs can’t be fully addressed by algorithms. In business, the human touch in interpreting and acting on data produced by AI ensures that performance goals are met in a manner that aligns with organizational culture and client expectations.

Our AI in ADDIE webinar series addresses these very issues for instructional designers, educators, and curriculum developers!?

The Bigger Picture: A Consultancy for Forward-Thinking Organizations

My focus is on aligning technology solutions with the human element—prioritizing skills, adapting learning experiences, and enhancing operational efficiency without losing sight of organizational objectives. It is finding ways that people can most effectively use technology to achieve a desired outcome, including choosing the right tool for the outcome.?

Questions for Contemplation and Discussion

• How do you make strategic decisions around technology adoption and have these changed with AI??
• Where have you found AI the most useful? And, conversely, where have you found AI the least useful??
• Does your company have a strategic plan for AI adoption that takes into account training, user experiences, company culture, and long-term usage in addition to concerns about security, hallucinations, and which models to use?