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Educational technology is the use of technology in education to improve learning and teaching. Educational technology is also known as instructional technology or learning technology.

The words educational and technology in the term educational technology have the general meaning. Educational technology is not restricted to the education of children, nor to the use of high technology. The particular case of the meaningful use of high-technology to enhance learning in K-12 classrooms and higher education is known as technology integration.
The campus is known for its landscape and architecture, as well as distinctive landmarks.[11] It was identified as one of 50 college or university 'works of art' by T.A. Gaines in his book "The Campus as a Work of Art".[12]


The Illini UnionThe main research and academic facilities are divided almost exactly between the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign. The College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences' research fields stretch south from Urbana and Champaign into Savoy and Champaign County. The university maintains formal gardens and a conference center in nearby Monticello at Allerton Park.

The U of I is one of the few educational institutions to own an airport.[13] Willard Airport, named for former University of Illinois president Arthur Cutts Willard, is located in Savoy. It was completed in 1945 and began service in 1954. Willard Airport is home to University research projects and the University's Institute of Aviation, along with flights from American and Northwest Airlines.

The campus is based on the quadrangle design popular at many universities. Four main quads compose the center of the university and are arranged from north to south. The Beckman Quadrangle and the John Bardeen Quadrangle occupy the center of the Engineering Campus. Boneyard Creek flows through the John Bardeen Quadrangle, paralleling Green Street. The Beckman Quadrangle is primarily composed of research units and laboratories, and features a large solar calendar consisting of an obelisk and several copper fountains. The Main Quadrangle and South Quadrangle follow immediately after the John Bardeen Quad. The former makes up a large part of the Liberal Arts and Sciences portion of the campus, while the latter comprises many of the buildings of the College of ACES spread across the campus map.[14]


[edit] Sustainability
In October, 2008, the Sustainable Endowments Institute gave the campus a grade of B- for sustainability in its 2009 College Sustainability Report Card. Strengths noted in the report included the campus's adoption of LEED silver certification for all building projects costing more than $5 million and its public accessibility to endowment investment information. Weaknesses included the lack of student involvement and shareholder engagement.[15]

In his remarks on the creation of the Office of Sustainability in September, 2008, Chancellor Richard Herman stated, "I want this institution to be the leader in sustainability."[16] In February, 2008, he signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Committment, committing the University of Illinois to take steps "in pursuit of climate neutrality."


A view of the Grainger Engineering Library from the Bardeen Quad
[edit] Competition
According to the statistics of the 2008 admitted freshmen, incoming students had ACT score of 27-32, 31% had an SAT score above 1400, and 59% of the incoming students were top 10% of their class.[18] Some of the university's colleges admit students only at the top. For incoming freshmen in 2008, the College of Engineering reported ACT average of 30-33 and the College of Business reported an average ACT score of 28-32, somewhat higher than the campus average. Of graduates, Illinois ended up as one of the top 12 (percentage-wise) and top 6 (numerical-wise) feeder state colleges to elite professional schools [9].


[edit] Residences
Like many universities, U of I requires all first-year undergraduate students (who do not commute) to stay in either the University Residence Halls or in University Private-Certified Housing. Both programs are administered by the University's housing division.[19] University housing for undergraduates is provided through twenty-two residence halls in both Urbana and Champaign.

All undergraduates within the University housing system are required to purchase some level of meal plan, although they are free to eat elsewhere if they choose. Graduate housing is usually offered through two graduate dormitories, restricted to those over twenty years of age, and through two university-owned apartment complexes. However, the recent record-sized freshman class has forced the housing division to convert one of the graduate dormitories into undergraduate housing. Students with disabilities are provided special housing options to accommodate their needs.

There are a number of private dormitories around campus, as well as a few houses that are outside of the Greek system and offer a more communal living experience. The private dorms tend to be more expensive to live in compared to other housing options. Private, certified residences maintain reciprocity agreements with the University, allowing students to move between the public and private housing systems if they are dissatisfied with their living conditions.

Some undergraduates choose to move into apartments or the Greek houses after their first or second year. The University Tenant Union offers advice on choosing apartments and the process of signing a lease