The field of educational technology as reflected through its definitions

The purpose of this article is to examine how, over time, the major definitions of the field of educational technology have reflected changes in the field itself. Major definitions from the early 1900s through 1994 are reviewed and compared. Each definition is discussed in terms of the events and ideas that were current at that time. Major changes in the field, as reflected by the definitions, are identified and thoughts regarding future definitions are presented.