Section 1: Defining the field

1.  When defining the field of instructional design and technology, many people begin to think about instructional media.  However, the textbook states that it includes much more than that. It includes analyzing learning, solving problems, and a systematic process to improve learning and performance in educational institutions and the workplace. I teach Kindergarten so I immediately began thinking about how this affects my students.  My definition of instructional design and technology is the ongoing process to make sure educators have a systematic plan to facilitate and assess learning while incorporating technology.  As an educator, I am always looking for way to plan and improve student learning and performance.  I use instructional media to facilitate learning.  Technology is also used to collect data, compare student achievement and help with lesson planing.  Instructional design is how I plan and implement my classroom and lessons.  Educators and administrators are constantly trying to improve instructional design and technology in education to prepare our students for the digital world they live in.

2.  The Dick, Carey and Carey design model includes the five of the six characteristics of instructional design.  They are both learner and goal centered. They focus on meaningful performance with a specific goal in mind that  assesses the outcome of learning.  Instructional design is constantly being revised within both models.  However, the Dick, Carey and Carey model does not state a team effort.  The Dick, Carey and Carey model is one that can be easily followed when creating lessons.  I really like how it kind of does a field test at the end and then gives a summative assessment that has thoroughly been thought through.  This is a model that can help beginning educators plan their instruction and serves as a great refresher for veterans.

After studying the Dick, Carey and Carey design, I feel that I would not change any part of it.  As a Kindergarten teacher, I am constantly assessing needs of my students to identify my student's individual goals.  We do formal for my instruction and plan objectives accordingly.  Informal assessments instruments are created as needed.  Next, I make and gather the instructional materials needed for my lessons.  This is something that I do with my team.  My team consists of five members who all bring different ideas and teaching styles.  We try to incorporate all of them to help meet all of our student's needs.  We also plan with our district instructional specialists in each subject areas for additional ideas.  My district is dedicated to helping their teachers and students grow and be successful in an ever changing technology world.

3.  After reading about the history of the audiovisual movement, I can understand how people get excited about new things and predict big changes.  However, I do not feel that any kind of technology can solely replace instructors as the prediction was made during the time of instructional films.  I feel that there will always be a need for teachers.  However, I do believe the modern technology is changing the way students are taught. 

Technology is generally used in education to do research, watch educational films, do drill and practice and to communicate.  I know a teacher in my school who is using a blog to do a book study.  She posts questions about the story they are reading.  Then the students use this question as a spring board to begin their conversations on the blog to each other.  This has been a wonderful tool for motivation.  Some students who usually do not do their work are reading and posting on the blog.  It is a non threatening environment and the students can join in any time.  Students are not only doing their school work but are excited to do it!   I foresee more teachers using blogs as part of their class discussions.  They can be used in the primary grades to talk to other classes about similar topics they are learning.

I also think that technology is going to continue to find new ways to educate students and professionals via the internet.  This is a great way for students who are disciplined and self motivated to learn.  I feel that it is going to provide opportunity for people who may not be able to attend classes due to other responsibilities.  
Adult education can be provided by the internet as well.  I have taken several staff development videos and follow up quizzes over the internet.  These are good to deliver information as long as the participant does not have questions. 

I am very fortunate to work for a district who values technology.  As long as the districts can afford maintain and update their technology, I foresee teachers using technology daily for instructional design for our students!

That's all for tonight!  Let me know your thoughts!