I feel that the word technology is a very broad concept that can describe anything from a mechanical pencil to a robot (In other words—it is hard to define.). I would like to think that technology has been used in instruction since it has been available-but I know depending on the resources available that may not be the case. That being said, I believe that the term Instructional Technology describes people using some form of tools, programs, or instruments to educate or train others.
Some examples of Instructional Technology would be the use of a Smartboard in a classroom or presentation. Smartboards can be used in so many ways. For instance, they can be used as a means to lecture from, to show video clips on, or to utilize the internet. They can also be used interactively with programs and activities the audience can participate in. Another way to use technology for instruction would be using Chat rooms or Wikkis. At the school where I teach, our Media and Technology Specialist started Wikkis for the kids in book club last year. The kids could access the Wikki from home or from school, and were able to discuss the books they were reading via the internet. It was a great way for them to share information with each other and a teacher they didn’t get to see on a regular basis. The use of GPS’s during a lesson is another way of incorporating technology into instruction. I have seen these used with buddy classes (older children paired with younger children) where the students traveled around the school finding different programmed locations where they would find a curriculum related question to answer before moving on to the next location.
As more technological advances are made, we have more and more opportunities to use it for instructional purposes. In many cases, technology makes both learning and instructing more interesting.
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7 comments:
I like how you define technology/media... we will discuss this in our upcoming Media and Methods lesson.
As in all things, our past influences how we interpret words. For example, as an educator you see technology based upon your past experiences. However, someone from the business world sees technology with a different purpose. So, I guess you could say, technology is in the eyes of the beholder!
I agree that technology makes both learning and instructing more interesting. Do you geocach?
I agree with Debbie that our experiences influence how we look at instructional technology, and since I work in a school I do look at it from that point of view.
"I would like to think that technology has been used in instruction since it has been available-but I know depending on the resources available that may not be the case."
Alysa, This sentence really stuck out to me and I think about resources available to schools. It is interesting that we are learning from research that technology in classrooms is beneficial for student learning, but what do we do about schools that lack those resources? I find it interesting that the newer schools in my district are equipped with thousands of dollars of instructional equipment in them (Smart Boards, Elmos, etc.), however the older schools struggle to find the money to catch up. Like many problems in education, it turns into the "haves" and "have nots."
Would it be safe to say that any method used to enhance knowledge is generated from the term "instruction" and any medium used to support the method is generated from the term "technology"? I believe everyone will agree that instructional technology is beyond the spine of a textbook. Good discussion!
Shaneir
I also agree that technology makes learning more exciting. When I brought the laptops into my classroom for my students to use their eyes brightened and their attention was focused. It is amazing how technology can transform learners.
You describe ways to use technology in the classroom that make me want to go back to elementary and middle school! The exciting part about the examples you describe are the ways in which technology can bring people together to learn that may not otherwise be possible - thus opening the doors to all types of cultural learning experiences.
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