I view instructional technology as web- and computer-based techniques to enhance the traditional classroom setting. Instructional technology teaches teachers how to teach effectively using up-to-date technology. The term “instruction” means to be educated or to be taught. The term “technology” means up-to-date resources, tools, and techniques. In the golden days, when hearing the term "instruction" or "school", three things would come to mind: a classroom, a teacher, and a book. In today’s technology driven world, this is obsolete. If a teacher sat students in a classroom and taught the material in the book without adapting the lecture to capture the various learning styles, everyone would probably fall asleep and learn absolutely nothing. Instructional technology was invented to save the day! For an example, in a traditional classroom setting a teacher can choose to have his or her students copy notes from the board or the teacher could utilize a tool should as Blackboard or Moodle to post the notes to use technology in the classroom and save time. Another way the teacher could present the notes or lecture is through a PowerPoint presentation. Creating a video or a film could also place emphasis on the information or material presented in the notes. This blog is another example of an instructional technology tool as we engage in discussion through a web-based tool.
I am looking forward to learning more about the tools and techniques that are used for instructional technology.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
What is instructional technology?
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6 comments:
I like how you broke the words down and defined them.
The examples you cite invite the question of whether technology in instruction is part of a vicious circle. I do embrace technology in instruction, but I am also a bit of a traditionalist and I find the notion more than a bit disheartening that a good teacher with a quality text is just not good enough anymore for the majority of learners. I say this because I know that what you say is true. I have not cheated ahead on the material in this course, but I'm wondering if we're going to explore the effects, good or otherwise, of technology in learning.
With so many resources available, a teacher and a book is obsolete. The kids of today live in a world of nonstop environmental variables (ever notice that a commercial targeting kids only stays on a clip for about a second). They need to have resources to motivate their learning.
I wouldn't say that a classroom, a teacher and a book are obsolete for learning in today's world. I have been held entranced by nothing more than an engaging and dynamic facilitator standing at a lectern. But then I tend to agree with Mike, I am a bit of a traditionalist. However, you are quite right and I see it all the time in today's college students - they prefer the technology driven courses and more engaged in those courses.
You also make a very good point in that technology can play to the various learning styles of students quite effectively compared to the more limited traditional lecture classroom.
To my fellow traditionalist :),
You are still great assets to the world of education (group hug)! I was attempting to elicit how today's average students perceive a classroom without technology.
Thanks for replying!
I saw what you said about up to date technology. I am very curious if there are studies as to which technologies (or types) are more beneficial in the classroom. Is a teacher using a filmstrip as effective with today's learners as one using a DVD.
I think it is not only the technology itself, but the quality of the information being presented. I have seen a lecture where a man used nothing but a whiteboard and a marker, but the information was so thought provoking and it was presented in such a way that I was completely engaged. I guess it all comes back to the design in conjunction with the technology.
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