Scientific rigor and contemporary educational technology

Three quotes are central to the development and growth of the field of educational technology. These statements represented the themes of classic articles written by leaders in education and remain today as guides for the field. The first was by James Finn, one of the founders of the modern educational technology field. In 1953, in the introductory issue of Audio-Visual Communication Review, he wrote: Finally, the most fundamental and most important characteristic of a profession is that the skills involved are founded upon a body of intellectual theory and research. Furthermore, this systematic theory is constantly being expanded by research and thinking within the profession. As Whitehead says, “…the practice of a profession cannot be disjoined from its theoretical understanding and vice versa…. The antithesis to a profession is an avocation based upon customary activities and modified by the trial and error of individual practice. Such an avocation is a Craft…” (Smith et al., 1951, p. 557). The difference between the bricklayer and the architect lies right here. (p. 8)

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