1、1963定义

“视听传播是教育理论和实践的分支，主要研究控制学习过程的讯息的设计和使用。包括：(1)研究有目的的学习过程中的图像和抽象的讯息的独特的和相对的优势；(2)在教育环境当中，利用人员和设备将讯息结构化和系统化。这些任务包括整个教学系统及其组成部分的计划、制作、选择、管理和利用。它的实际目的是：高效率地利用传播中的每一种方法和媒体，以充分发挥每个学习者的潜力。”（Audiovisual communications is that branch of educational theory and practice concerned with the design and use of messages which control the learning process.  It undertakes: (a) the study of the unique and relative strengths and weaknesses of both pictorial and nonrepresentational messages which may be employed in the learning process for any reason; and (b) the structuring and systematizing of messages by men and instruments in an educational environment.  These undertaking include planning, production, selection, management, and utilization of both components and entire instructional systems.  Its practical goal is the efficient utilization of every method and medium of communication which can contribute to the development of the learners' full potential.）

2、1970美国教学技术委员会的定义

该委员会（属于美国政府的一个专业咨询机构）在向总统和国会提交的报告中指出：“教学技术可以按两种方式加以定义。在人们较为熟悉的定义中，教学技术是指产生于传播革命的媒体，这些媒体可以与教师、课本、黑板一起为教学目的服务。第二种定义不太为人们所熟悉，这种定义超出了任何特定的媒体或设备。它指出教学技术是一种根据具体目标来设计、实施和评价整个教学过程的系统方法。它以对人的学习与传播的研究为基础，综合运用人力与非人力资源，以达到更有效的教学的目的。”（ Instructional technology can be defined in two ways. In its more familiar sense, it means the media born of the communications revolution which can be used for instructional purposes alongside the teacher, textbook, and blackboard. The second and less familiar definition of instructional technology goes beyond any particular medium or device. In this sense, instructional technology is a systematic way of designing, carrying out, and evaluating the total process of learning and teaching in terms of specific objectives based on research in human learning and communication, and employing a combination of human and non-human resources to bring about more effective instruction.）

3、1972定义

“教育技术是这样一个领域，它通过对所有学习资源的系统化鉴别、开发、组织和利用，以及通过对这些过程的管理，来促进人类的学习。” （Educational technology is a field involved in the facilitation of human learning through systematic identification, development, organization and utilization of a full-range of learning resources and through the management of these processes.）

4、1977定义

“教育技术是一个复杂的、整合的过程，这个过程涉及人员、程序、思想、设备和组织，其目的在于分析遍及人类学习所有方面的问题，和设计、实施、评价与管理对那些问题的解决方法。”（Educational Technology is a complex, integrated process involving people, procedures, ideas, devices, and organization, for analyzing problems and devising, implementing, evaluating, and managing solutions to those problems involved in all aspects of human learning.）

5、1994定义

“教学技术是为了促进学习，对有关的过程和资源进行设计、开发、利用、管理和评价的理论与实践。”（Instructional Technology is the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management and evaluation of processes and resources for learning.）

6、2004定义

“教育技术是一门学问，也是一种遵守道德规范和职业规范的实践；它通过对恰当的技术过程和恰当的技术资源进行创建、应用和管理来达到促进学习、改善绩效的目的。”（Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources）

7、2005定义

“教育技术是通过创造、使用和管理适当的技术过程和资源，进行便利学习和改进绩效的研究和符合道德规范的实践。”（Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resource.）