Section 1 Defining the field blog post

1. My definition of instructional technology is now similar to the definitions in the book.  In the beginning of my teaching career, 14 years ago, I thought of instructional technology as equipment used in the classroom.  Now, after using different types of equipment and a variety of apps in the classroom, I know that there is definitely more to it than just the tools themselves. 

My definition of instructional technology would focus more on the processes needed to improve the level of comprehension and retention of content I teach for ALL of my students.  

2. I have used several types of instructional technology in my classroom over the years.  I always make it student centered and goal oriented but I know that I have never used it so that it would adhere to all six characteristics of instructional design.

I am planning on teaching a lesson on September 19th in which I am going to do my best to make it hit all six characteristics.  I am going to be introducing the concept of the relationship of force and motion to my students.  I am going to show them an interactive website that will give them a visual idea of how force effects motion.  I am then going to have some science equipment on their tables along with iPads.  I am going to have the students create an experiment that will show how force effects motion and video their trials with the iPad.  Students will also be allowed to use their own device if they so choose.  The students will be given time to create their experiment and change it if they need to until they feel that it meets the goal that I have set for them.  I will come back and reflect on how this lesson went after I have taught it.  I will know then what I need to do to fix it so that it adheres to all six characteristics.

3. In my opinion, textbook, teachers, and chalkboards are left out of the definition because they are considered a given part of every classroom.  Instructional media would be the tools that were used by the teacher in his/her classroom to deliver a lesson.

I disagree, however, because I feel like teachers, textbooks, and chalkboards are forms of instructional media.  Without teachers explaining and guiding the learning, textbooks (hard copy or online) to provide a reference material, and chalkboards to draw or explain in writing a concept, our students would not have the guidance or resources to learn everything that is required of them.

I believe that the intent of instructional design is to incorporate different tools into the instruction of students to help students of all levels and learning styles to learn the content of any subject.