The focus and significance of educational technology research have increased significantly in the modern era due to the exponential growth of technology utilization in education through applications like Internet access, simulations, educational games, and distant learning. In order to promote learning in schools, we look at both historical and contemporary research trends in this study, focusing on the function and value of research findings in guiding instructional methods and policy. The following specific subjects are covered in detail: (a) differing perspectives on what constitutes "effective" technology use in the classroom as research topics; (b) historical trends in research approaches and inquiry topics; (c) alternative research designs that strike a balance between internal (rigor) and external (relevance) validity; and (d) recommendations for future research directions. In addition to employing mixed-methods research to examine and comprehend technology applications in challenging real-life contexts, attention is paid to outlining several experimental designs as alternatives for attaining the proper rigor and relevance of study data.