Definition of Instructional Technology Field
The definition of the instructional technology field has changed the entire education environment due to new ideas and creations. The most important field is AECT (Association for Educational Communications and Technology), which has helped educators and students obtain knowledge and learning from the use of the latest technologies since 1968 (Reiser, 2012).
The definition of the AECT field changed instructional technology to educational technology in 2008. Educational Technology involves “facilitating learning and improving performance” through technology (Reiser, 2012, p. 4).
My Definition of the Instructional Technology Field
My definition of the instructional technology field is to use technology tools to incorporate instructional design models, which consists of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation, for creating efficient teaching materials, delivering a course or training, and improving learners’ learning and performance.
History of Instructional Technology
The ETEC 500 course helped me form basic knowledge of understanding the history of instructional technology. I created a brief history of instructional technology chronologically and summarized the key events from the pre-1920s and 1920s to the 21st century. Each decade has important developments and researchers that influenced the entire educational system in teaching and learning. Refer to the history of instructional technology below.
Instructional Technology Trends
There are two instructional technology trends from my educational philosophy. One important IT trend is using mobile devices for schoolwork. Mobile learning tools and the internet effectively deliver learning activities to students. iPads, iPods, tablets, and smartphones with the internet are portable technologies which nowadays students carry in hand. Students can absorb information rapidly, reach out to peers, collaborate with each other, and use personal learning experiences for group discussions. Another IT trend is applying instructional apps and social media for online learning. Mobile application stores, such as Google play and the Apple store, offer various instructional applications and social media to be used in different ways for effective learning. Based on the two instructional technology trends, the most important thing that e-learning is integrated the use of technology devices, apps, and the internet that influences students’ learning and instructors’ teaching as well as makes the educational environment better for them.
Three Learning Theories
Learning theory is concerned with how individuals obtain knowledge in learning. Three main categories of learning theory that influence instructional design are behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism.
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Behaviorism
Behaviorism is a stimulus-response (Behaviorism, 2007). The teacher offers multiple opportunities for learners to practice their learning skills until mastery. For example, in kindergarten, all children have different learning attitudes in courses because they are just beginning their education in school. Teachers may have a difficult time leading childrens’ learning, especially students with learning disabilities such as ADD or ADHD. These children may not pay attention in courses if course activities are not interesting to them. Learners are passive in learning behavior and the teacher offers all the necessary instructional materials that need to be taught/learned (Behaviorism, 2017). Consequently, learners' behavior can be improved through rewards, consequences, or punishments.
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Cognitivism
Cognitivism focuses on how information is received/organized in the mind. The human brain is viewed as an information processor (i.e., turning information into short or long-term memory), like a computer (Cognitivism, 2007). The instructor should organize content materials in a manner which is best for the learner to recall and process (i.e., using graphic organizers to organize content). Thus, learners are involved in making connections with their past experiences and acquiring new knowledge from them; they can also gain an efficient method of understanding, retaining, and recalling in a long division process.
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Constructivism
Constructivism is an active learning process by creating meaning from experience such as role playing, debating controversial topics, or utilizing cooperative learning groups (Constructivism, 2007). The teacher creates learning experiences for learners to apply what they learned. Learners can use their own experiences and prior knowledge to analyze, synthesize, and create solutions so that they can actively participate and obtain new knowledge in the learning process. Therefore, constructivism helps learners to increase their problem solving, high-order thinking skills, and collaborative work in learning.
My Educational Philosophy
My Education Philosophy has started with learning experiences for students to apply what they learned. Students' active participation is beneficial for building relationships and working together with team members within groups. Technology has provided an advanced teaching opportunity with learning theories which contribute to an effective learning environment. The main purpose of my educational philosophy is to focus on teaching strategies, such as self-directed learning and collaborative partnerships with peers and within groups, which build student independence and problem-solving skills. As a result, I prefer to use the constructivism theory as my teaching method. Writing an educational philosophy paper is important for identifying my learning and teaching abilities in my education and future career based on the three learning theories and the instructional technology field. Refer to my educational philosophy below.
My philosophy assignment
What I learned in ETEC 500 and how will this course influence my future career?
This class helped me to gain basic knowledge of how to apply the three different theories to incorporate with my educational philosophy. I was aware that each learning theory provides an efficient method for me to writing the educational philosophy paper. These learning theories are important for me to identify my learning and teaching abilities based on my instructional technology experiences. Before becoming a full-time instructional designer in my future career, I must have an advanced teaching method to help learners to enhance their learning interests through online or face-to-face learning. It is beneficial for increasing my problem solving and high-order thinking skills for implementing a course or training through group collaboration and discussion.
References
Behaviorism. (2007, Jan 31). In Learning Theories. Retrieved from https://www.learning- theories.com/behaviorism.html
Cognitivism. (2007, Jun 19). In Learning Theories. Retrieved from https://www.learning- theories.com/cognitivism.html
Constructivism. (2007, Jun 30). In Learning Theories. Retrieved from https://www.learning- theories.com/constructivism.html
Reiser, R.A. (2012). What field did you say you were in? In R. A. Reiser & J. V. Dempsey. (Eds.), Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology (3rd ed., pp. 1-7). Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.