It is not entirely possible to detach technology from education-technology because for one reason or the other students and instructors alike will need any of these tech tools in the long run and for their research too, subsequently. This does not mean however that you must have a background in computer science to be able to do a research project topic in education-tech. An understanding of the dynamics in ed-tech and the kind of skills, softwares and basic technologies you need, will do.

As a researcher in ed-tech you need to be skilled with technologies that aide learning not necessarily high standard technologies. Ed-tech on its own involves the effective use of technological tools that facilitate learning. It involves the use of media, machine and networking hardwares and softwares alike to facilitate education and learning processes.

Before we go ahead, you need to know the tools you will need for a course in ed-tech so it will be easier to grasp the skills you need . I hope you are familiar with the terms “synchronous” and “Asynchronous” method of learning , if not let’s see what it means.

Synchronous method of learning in education technology is one that permits participation among students in real-time. It doesn’t really matter if the students meet face to face, what matters most is that students get to learn and interact with each other at the same time. On the other hand, asynchronous method advocates for a learning process where students need not participate at the same time. Students learn at their own pace, their leisure and share their contributions at their convenience.

In synchronous method, you need the following:
• Face-to-face interaction
• Online real time teacher
• Feedback
• Skype conversation
• Chat rooms
• Open mindedness
• Real time interactivity

In asynchronous method, you need the following:

• Email
• Discussion boards
• Text books
• Audio recorder/audio
• Video courses
• Social networking.

You need these here because students take the information sent to them whenever they wish. Likeweise, they send their own contribution anytime they wish to. Therefore, in ed-tech, an average student will enjoy the advantage of tech skills in his project research.
So, what skills do you need to start a research in ed-tech?

The following skills are needed to start a research in ed-tech;
• A skill in image management
• Electronic presentation skills/ power point presentation
• Word processing
• Downloading softwares
• Software installation into a computer system
• File management skills

These are some of the skills you will need not just to do you research in education technology but also for the presentation of your research.