Instructional technology

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There are two types of instructional technology: those with a systems approach, and those focusing on audio-visual technologies.

The definition of instructional technology prepared by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Definitions and Terminology Committee is as follows:

Instructional Technology is the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning. ... The words Instructional Technology in the definition mean a discipline devoted to techniques or ways to make learning more efficient based on theory but theory in its broadest sense, not just scientific theory. ... Theory consists of concepts, constructs, principles, and propositions that serve as the body of knowledge. Practice is the application of that knowledge to solve problems. Practice can also contribute to the knowledge base through information gained from experience. ... Of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation ... refer to both areas of the knowledge base and to functions performed by professionals in the field. ... Processes are a series of operations or activities directed towards a particular result. ... Resources are sources of support for learning, including support systems and instructional materials and environments. ... The purpose of instructional technology is to affect and effect learning (Seels & Richey, 1994, pp. 1-9). (Cited at: [1])

Contents

[edit] History of instructional technology

The first use of instructional technology cannot be attributed to a specific person or time. Many histories of instructional technology start in the early 1900s, while others go back to the 1600s. This depends on the definition of instructional technology. Definitions that focus on a systems approach tend to reach further back in history, while those definitions focused on audio-visual devices are relatively more recent.

The use of audio and visual instruction was boosted as a military response to the problems of a labor shortage during WWII in the United States. There was a definitive need to fill the factories with skilled labor. Instructional technology provided a methodology for training in a systematic and efficient manner.

With it came the use of highly structured manuals, instructional films, and standardized tests. Thomas Edison saw the value of instructional technology in films but did not formalize the science of instruction as the US military did so well.

[edit] Instructional technology today

Instructional technology is a growing field of study which uses technology as a means to solve educational challenges. Many graduate programs are producing instructional technologists, who increasingly are being employed by distance education programs. These professionals often employ e-learning tools, which provide distance learners the opportunity for to interact with instructors and experts in the field, even if they are not located physically close to each other.

While instructional technology promises solutions to many educational problems, resistance from faculty and administrators to the use of technology in the classroom is not unusual. This reaction can arise from the belief - or fear - that the ultimate aim of instructional technology is to reduce or even remove the human element of instruction. Most instructional technologists however, would counter with this claim that education will always require human intervention from instructors or facilitators.

Moore (1989) argues that there are three types of learner interaction(learner-content, learner-instructor, and learner-learner interactions). In the years since, different philosophical views have surfaced that relate Educational technology to these types of interaction. Today many argue that the products of Instructional technology should be designed with constructivism in mind. Constructivists argue that the social interactions, learner-instructor and learner-learner interactions, are as useful as learner-content interaction. Other researchers (those subscribing to Cognitivism) argue that learner-content interaction is still a very important endeavor of Instructional technology.

Distance learning has altered the amount of learner-instructor interaction versus learner-content interaction within the University environment. This has caused some to reconsider the value of these different forms of instruction. Aspects of social interaction like mentoring, role modeling, and community are being balanced by restrictions in time and place access. As many are becoming aware, human interaction seems to be valued differently in different learning contexts.

[edit] Areas

Within the field of instructional technology, there are many specific areas of focus. While instructional technology can apply to the military and corporate settings, educational technology is instructional technology applied to a learning and teaching environment.

Razavi (2005) advocates that educational technology covers instructional technology. It includes instructional technology and the field study in human teaching and learning. So educational technology is broader than instructional technology. Instructional technology itself is consisted from two major parts. One is teaching technology and another is learning technology.

Human Performance Technology (HPT) has a focus on corporate environments. Learning Science is the area of focus dealing specifically with learning methods and theories.

[edit] See also

Areas of interest and growth:

Standards and specifications:

[edit] External links

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