Foundations of IDT

My Definition of Instructional Design

When asked what I think Instructional Design is, I think this definition best covers what the field is attempting to achieve:

"Instructional Technology or Educational Technology is the study and practice of teaching and creating technology resources that help learners achieve mastery in specific objectives and tasks. It involves designing, creating, using, and evaluating technology and technology resources to be used in learner instruction.” - Januszewski and Molenda, 2008

As a teacher, I try to incorporate all the aspects described in this definition. Not only must skills be taught and mastered, but the methods and technology used to teach and grade those skills must always be evaluated as well. The students and methods used today are very different from when I began a quarter-century ago, which means I cannot simply rely on doing the "same old thing".

The History of Instructional Design

1920 - 1940

Schools used photos and slides for educating students. Later, Sound, radio, and movies are added to instructional technologies. The US Army Air force needed a program to instruct a large number of soldiers in the quickest, most efficient way possible for WWII. Robert Gagné produced over 400 training films and filmstrips over a two-year period.

1950 - 1970

After WWII, the benefits of these training programs were transferred to the private sector, such as education and businesses. B. F. Skinner's The Science of Learning and the Art of Teaching, stated that the most effective method of programmed instruction broke tasks down into small steps that met certain objectives. Over 40 varieties of systematic design models, referred to interchangeably as instructional design, systematic instruction, or instructional systems, were created.

1980 - 1990

Computers added a whole new dimension to Instructional Design, allowing for the widespread dissemination and standardization of the various training programs, as well as use of video and sound to enhance the simulation of training environments, and especially dangerous environments. Widespread computer usage in homes and schools drives computer technology. Virtual Reality which can insert a person into any imaginable environment with an exceptional degree of interactivity.

2000

Wider internet bandwidth and more powerful home computers and personal computing devices, which means that instructional design is no longer limited to large organizations. Ordinary people now have instantaneous access to a wide variety of training programs and games that they can use on their own free time to expand and enhance their own skills.

The Fathers of Instructional Design

Robert Gagné

Helped develop mass-scale learning for US Armed Forces during WWII, which later became the basis for training employees in many different fields. He stated there were many different types and levels of learning, and instruction should be tailored to the learner.

B. F. Skinner

The "Father of Operant Conditioning", where the consequences of a response determine the probability of it being repeated. He stated that the most effective method of programmed instruction broke tasks down into small steps that met certain objectives

Jean Piaget

Piaget believed that children's cognitive processes were different from those of adults, starting to construct understanding around them with what they already know. He broke down their learning processes into a series of developmental stages.

Learning Theories

Behaviorism

A theory of learning which states all behaviors are learned through interaction with the environment through a process called conditioning. B.F. Skinner controls stimuli to reinforce desired outcomes in a process called direct instruction.

Cognitivism

A learning theory that looks at how information is processed, much like a computer. Learning is viewed as an internal process using knowledge, memory, thinking, and problem-solving. Students are motivated by curiosity and the instructor facilitates that curiosity by leading learners to knowledge.

Constructivism

This learning theory states that the learner constructs their knowledge based on personal experiences. As such, the learner will have their own interpretations. Learning is also a social activity that is associated with our teachers, family, and peers.

References

Instructional design timeline and history. home. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/instructional-design-history.

Januszewski, A. & Molenda, M. (2008). Educational technology: A definition with commentary. (1st ed.) 195-211. https://tofasakademi.com/instructional-design-timeline/

Learning, O., says:, J. J. G., & says:, J. C. (2015, May 26). A brief history of instructional design. Blog. Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://blog.originlearning.com/a-brief-history-of-instructional-design/.

Reiser, R. A. (2001). A history of instructional design and technology: Part II: A history of instructional design. Educational Technology Research and Development, 49(2), 57–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02504928

Sutori. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.sutori.com/en/story/history-of-instructional-design-and-technology-- TRCRwEC94uW6oW3h15S4AaTV.

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