Definition of Instructional technology
Educational technology is defined by the Association for Educational Communication and Technology as "the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources." (Robinson, Rhonda; Molenda, Michael; Rezabek, Landra. 2016). According to the authors state, instructional technology is not only the use of the some technology hardware, such as computer, skype, or blackborad, but also refers to the instructional software, such as different kinds of instructional material and instructional theory. Instructional technology is also regarded as technological tools to assist the instruction time-effectively.
In my opinion, the instructional technol0gy is the process of creating and developing instructional material or training programme to help the instructions and training time-effectively and cost-effectively.
History
Second World War
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The technology development was prevalent in the 1940’s was the use of audiovisual instruction training in the military.
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US government made 457 instructional films and bought 55,000 film projectors for training in the military. Also, used audio equipment for teaching foreign languages.
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This was the era where overhead projectors were used more regularly.
1960s
the University of Illinois initiated a classroom system based in linked computer terminal that students could access informational resources.
Mid 1960s
Stanford University psychology professors Patrick Suppes and Richard C. Atkinson experimented with using computers to teach arithmetic and spelling via Teletypes to elementary school students
In 1963, Bernard Luskin installed the first computer in a community college for instruction, and helped develop computer-assisted instruction.
1970s
Notable contributions in computer-based learning by Murray Turoff and Starr Roxanne Hiltz at the New Jersey Institute of Technology
In 1976, Bernard Luskin launched Coastline Community College as a "college without walls" using television station KOCE-TV as a vehicle. In the UK the Council for Educational Technology supported the use of educational technology, in particular administering the government's National Development Programme in Computer Aided Learning (1973–77) and the Microelectronics Education Programme (1980–86).
1980's
Plato Computer, Personal Computer, CD-Rom Drive, Video Camera, and Graphing Calculator.
1990’s
worldwide web, Microsoft introduced, Java, started to build e-commerce websites (Amazon.co, eBay, AOL, and Yahoo), email, text messaging and phone were becoming smaller, MP3 player, Play Station, hybrid vehicles, GPS navigation, Netflix, television technology, wireless telephones, USB ports (Wikipedia 1990s in Science and Technology) and the Internet.
21st Century Tech
Hardwares:
Smart Phone
All in-One Computers.
Tablets
Software:
1. Social Media
2. Acredited Internet Institutions
3. Video Calling
4. Bluetooth
5. Internet Speed
6. QR
7. Streaming
8. Google docs/sheets/classroom
Researchers
(Robert Resier 2012) mentioned "New views regarding the teaching and learning process, including the performance improvement movement." The second set of influences involves major changes in how technology is being used to share information and present instruction.
(John V. Dempsey) mentioned "A nationally and internationally respected college in the areas of science, mathematics, educational technology and intercultural dimension (language, literacy, culture and interdisciplinary studies in regard to preparing teachers, counselors, administrators, educational researchers, and professional at all levels, not only for the school system but for other economical and service areas which require training."
(David Merrill 2002) contributed the 1st principle. The main point is problem-centered, which is learning will be promoted when learners are engaged in solving real-world problems.
Gagné states learning occurs in nine learning events. Which are shown below:
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Gaining attention
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Informing learners of objectives.
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Stimulating recall of prior learning.
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Presenting the stimulus.
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Providing learning guidance.
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Eliciting performance.
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Providing feedback.
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Assessing performance.
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Enhancing retention and transfer.
My tech vision
In nowadays, education on longer limited in classrooms, but effectively widely applied in e-learning or company training. All of these is due to the development of instructional technology in today.
Learning Theories
Behaviourism is a systematic approach, which assumes that all behavior are produced by a response to certain stimuli in the environment. The main point in behaviourism is response to the stimulus. This learning theory is focus on the teacher centered methodology.
Cognitivism is focus on the mental process, such as thinking, memory, knowing, and problem-solving need to be explored. In cognitivism, knowledge can be seen as schema.
Constructivism is focus on student centered methodology, it is the instructors help students to help them construct their own understanding. In constructivism, the instructor is no longer dominate in the class. Whereas, we more focus on the student-centered instruction, so in our education, the instructor play a role of the instructional facilitator to help the students construct their own knowledge understanding. The students will construct their understanding with linking the new knowledge and prior knowledge, then reflect to their experiences.
IT Trends
The current IT trends is E-learning. In nowadays, the online course instruction is popular from the elementary school to college in the States. The instruction is not only limited in the classroom any more, the online course, mobile instruction are more and more popular. Also the VR in nowadays is an advanced technology and I believe it will be applied into the classroom in the future. With VR technology, the instruction would tend to be visual and vivid, especially in history or geography courses,this technology can take students to places they would have but not be able to visit, which makes students feel like they are personally on the scenes.
Reflection
In this course, I gained more knowledge in Instructional Technology. And much clearer for all the contents that I already learnt before in other classes, such as learning theories. Before I was not that clear for behaviourism and cognitivism, I am not sure what the definition of these learning theories really are. In this class, I much clearer for all of them. Also, for the researchers in Instructional Technology, I learnt more researchers and their theories. For many studies, I got better understandings.
Reference
Reiser, Robert A. (2010). Trends and issues in instructional design and technology. (3rd ed.) Boston: Allyn & Bacon.