Foundation

The Definition of Instructional Technology:

Is a field that is constantly changing therefore there is not reside a single definition that covers all the aspects that have been thought of by different professionals who have been associated thorughout the history of this field. If we go by the latest definition provided by Association for Educational Communication and Technology(AECT), it says,"Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating, learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological proceses and resources." One key term that is included in this new definition is the word ethical.

My Definition of Instructional Technology:

Is the field of study that provides a new way of learning which is more technology oriented and easier. It includes purposefully designing the instruction which includes technological skills and tools that help a learner in achieving academic success.

History of Instructional Technology

Contributors to the field of IT:

(Click on the pictures for sources and detailed information)

Robert Gagne

In 1965, Gagne described the five domains of learning outcomes which the learners can use to categorize their understanding. It can prove helpful for an Instructional Designer as this can serve as a guide for determining assessments that complement the objectives of learning. He also explained the learning hierarchy which indicates how certain skills are mandatory for the achievement of higher-level skills. This systematic approach serves as a key in many design models in instruction. He further also highlighted the Nine Events of Instruction that can help the Instructional Designers in creating a more engaging learning environment.

B.F.Skinner

In 1954, B.F. Skinner, understood the the importance of increasing human learning and the materials that are required for instruction to be effective. He told how concepts need to be presented in small steps with active responses for information to be acquired and immediate feedback be received so as to reaffirm correct learning. Skinner contributed to many Elearning courses based on behaviourism when incorporating assessments where to demonstrate learning, the learner follows a sequence of steps.

Robert Glaser

Robert Glaser serves as the last major contributor. In 1962, Glaser coined the term “criterion-referenced measures” as opposed to commonly-known term: norm-referenced. Norm-referenced measures compared students’ learning to those of other students, whereas criterion-referenced compares a students’ learning to the concepts or behaviors that were taught and to what they knew prior to being taught. he also expanded upon the theory of constructivist learning.

Learning Thoeries:

Instructional technology with blending of concepts of psychology explains that how learners understand the world around them and also gain knowledge. With emphasis on three major learning theories, the instruction designers can learn more about the learner and that how teaching methods can be adapted in a way that help meet their respective needs.

1-Behaviorism

Is a response to the stimulus. It is possible to control the behavior based on given reward or punishment. This theory confirms that with the presence of a stimulus in an learning environment, the learners ability to learn gets affected automatically.

2- Cognitivism

This theory focuses on “ how information is received, organized, stored, retrieved by the mind” (Ertmer & Newby, 2013) . More attention is paid to what has happened in a learner’s mind and also focuses on mental processes rather than observable behavior.

3-Constructivism

Is a theory that equates learning with creating meaning from experience. (Bednar et al., 1991). The theory ensures that the learning process should be such that it pushes the learners to use previous experiences to gain new knowledge since the knowledge has come from learners themselves. Since everyone possesses distinct set of experiences, therfore the scientific outcome also varies among individuals.

IT Trends:

With digital learning offering various benefits, it has become an important part of the education system. These are being included by institutions to improve the teaching and the learning process. Following we will look at some of the IT trends.

Collaborative Learning

Technology has bridged the gap between teachers and students. One would find them interacting more in off school hours. Similarly, students are able to connect with each other more as well, building their collaborative and interpersonal skills.

Data Management and Analytics

With availability and manging of data becoming easier with the advent of technology, teacher's can have complete analytics of a student's performance.

Immersive Learning with AR and VR

With augmented learning and virtual reality being introduced in the education system, learning has become more immersive than traditional methods. These are making learning a compelling experience.

Interactivity within Classroom

With technology being brought into classrooms, the learning environment has become lively and interactive. Teachers can now hep the students with their homework in class.They can also have activities that keep the students engaged.

My Educational Philosophy:

The involvement of learners in the learning process is my educational philosophy. Whatever Instructional Technology aims to achieve is not possible without the involvement of the learners. They should enagage and participate actively in all such activities. But this engagement of the learner can only be activated with the teacher's attitude regarding how they are using different interesting materials to retain the learner's attention for long and also stimulate their prior knowledge to new knowledge. Cognitivism could also be applied to the ways of giving instructions.

My Educational Philosophy Paper

Reflection:

ETEC500 course gave me insights into things that I may not have got otherwise. The ever evolving nature of Instructional technology and how it keeps on growing and changing with passing years. Also, the learning theories have helped me understand what are the factor that help us in our learning process. We never understand the things that can effect our learning process but going through these theories has helped me in identifying that could actually effect the whole process of gaining knowledge and also applying it. All in all, this proved to be a good learning exercise that has helped me in getting better at things which I previously had no knowledge of.

References:Association for Educational Communication & Technology, (2017), http://aect.site-ym.com/Ã‚Â Ertmer,P., Newby,T. (2013). Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism: Comparing Critical Features From an Instructional Design Perspective. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 26(2), 43-71. DOI: 10.1002/piq.21143Ã‚Â Reiser, R., Dempsey, J. (2012). Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology. (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson.Image: Ho,Lina. (2018) Foundation of IT. Retrieved from https://i1.wp.com/www.linaho.com/lina/images/history.png?resize=907%2C478

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