Etymology Influences IT Things Non-IT Things Main

Etymology

Instructional: The word "instruct" is iteratively derived from the Latin word "strues" -- a pile or heap. A "structor" was a builder or a carpenter. The verb "struo" means to build. When combined with the prepositional prefix "in-" (in or into) -- struo becomes "instruo," literally to "build in," or to construct, prepare, fit out, furnish, or instruct. The "instructor" was the supervisor. Instruction (instructio) occurs when the builder (structor) arranges (struo) a pile of stuff (strues) into a building (structura). The stuff, the agent, the process, and the outcome all share the same root.

Educational: The word "educate" is iteratively derived from the Latin word "dux" -- a conductor, guide, or leader. The verb "duco" -- to lead -- was an all-purpose word which the Romans used to express many situations in which the leading was occuring both literally (to lead troops) and figuratively (to marry -- perhaps a Roman joke?). When combined with the prepositional prefix "e-" (from or out of), duco becomes "educo," literally, "to draw out," or to bring up, educate, or train. A related verb, "doceo," to teach, when combined with "e-", becomes "edoceo" or, "to teach thoroughly." This verb can take a double object -- to teach something to someone thoroughly -- in Latin, both the thing taught and the person taught receive the action of the verb.

Technology: The word technology was hybridized in the 1600's from the Greek root -- meaning art or craft -- and the Greek suffix "-logy." Many words were coined by adding -logy to root words that represent a particular department of knowledge. "-Logy" refers to the speaking of that root-word knowledge, in the modern sense of discourse about a subject representing the body of knowledge of that subject. Therefore, the noun "technology" was created to represent the body of knowledge about "craft," specifically the scientific study of the practical or industrial arts.

The differences between "educational" and "instructional" debated among scholars of Instructional and Educational Technology are not distinct. However, the etymology suggests that to instruct is to build something within a student and to educate is to pull something out of a student in the Socratic method. Today's Constructivist approach does both; by providing the heap (content) and tools to the student, posing questions for applied use of the tools, and guiding the process as the student builds his or her understanding of the content.

Sources: The New Collegiate Latin and English Dictionary (Traupman. Bantam Books. 1966); Oxford English Dictionary Online; Personal interpretation -- possibly incorrect!

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