Defining the Field

1. The early definitions provided by Reiser and Dempsey state that the field of instructional technology focused on instructional media. The movement known as the Visual Instruction movement took place through the 1920's which increased the visual materials (films, pictures, lantern slides.) In the 1920's-1940's, the focus shifted from visual instruction to audiovisual instruction. As the 1960's and 1970's rolled around the new definition viewed instructional technology as a process. Educational technology could be though of as the application of science to instructional practices. By 1994, cognitive and constructivist learning theories began to have a major influence on design practices. The profession was greatly influenced by technological advances such as the microcomputer, interactive video, CD-ROM, and the Internet. A new definition of the field was published and states, "Instructional Technology is the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning." This new definition described the field in five domains: design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation. The most recent definition, which was published in 2006 states, "Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating, learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources." Today, educational technology has taken a whole new toll in the classroom. The new technology that is being incorporated into the classroom is changing the way that students learn and expanding this process as well. Teachers should take full advantage of the technology that is provided for them to use and help teach students in new ways.

2. Teachers tend to stick to their old ways and not branch out and try new ideas. I am all about trying out new ideas to find ways to help the learners. My instructional design model starts off by 1.) Identifying Goals. This should be the key and most important task at hand because the students have to set goals so they can have something to work towards. 2.) Write clear objectives: Teachers need to state the objectives very clearly so that the students know what their goal is for that day to learn. 3.) Develop instructional strategy: By viewing the students' goals, the teacher needs to understand his/her students and know how they learn best. The teacher will base their instructional strategies and how they teach based off of this knowledge. 4.) Develop and Select Instructional Materials: How will the teacher teach? What materials will they be using? After the teacher knows the strategy, it is time to figure out how and what they will use in order to get the material across to the students. 5.) Conduct Summative Assessments: After the material has been taught, the teacher needs to assess the students one last time over the material to see if his/her teaching methods worked. 6.) Revise Instruction if Needed: If the results of the summative assessment were not successful, then the method of instruction needs to be revised in order to become more successful. Throughout this whole cycle, the teacher needs to be conducting formative assessments to make sure that his/her teaching methods are working and the students are learning the material. As the results come in, then the teacher can make adjustments as needed.

3.  Technology is being used in all classrooms throughout the world in many different ways. I believe that as technology evolves. teachers will be required to used technology in their lessons and classrooms on a daily basis. Many school districts are providing some of this new technology, and teachers need to be trained and take full advantage of what is offered to them. At my school, various technology is used from a simple power point to whiteboards that are projected onto a screen. Many of the new technology that is being integrated into the classrooms are teaching and preparing students for what the future has to offer. Discussion boards and distance learning opportunities are a couple to name. I believe that teachers will soon be taking advantage of podcasts to communicate better with not only parents, but the students as well. Full lectures could be recorded and uploaded to keep students up to speed if they are absent. This could also benefit those students that are homebound. Blogs, such as the ones used in this class, are a great way to start up a class discussion. I know many students are not quick to raise their hands and state their opinions in class, but they would participate more via a blog or discussion board of some kind. I am a firm believe that technology is going to change how teachers teach in their classrooms. I also believe that this new technology will help benefit the various learning styles that face us today.