Educational Technology: An Evolving Definition

In my last post I discussed a preliminary definition of educational technology developed in class. After reading chapter one of the text, I'm prepared to construct a personal working definition. But first, a summary of how the definition of the field has evolved...

Early definitions of instructional technology emphasized the media, the physical methods used to present instruction. At the time, media consisted of visual material. Between the 1920's through the 1940's visual media became audiovisual media and expanded to focus on sound as an instructional tool. (p.3)

During the 1960's-1970's instructional technology became less of a physical description of the media involved, and more of a process used to solve instructional problems. The 1970's in particular saw the term grow and come into include steps such as design, implementation, and evaluation. (p.4)

Definitions from the 1990's describe instructional technology in terms of practice and theory. The systematic "process" theme that was the root of early definitions is de-emphasized in order to accommodate alternative design methodologies and theories. (p.5)

Newer definitions include an emphasis on ethics and a high level of professional behavior among practictioners and researchers in the field. Another new element of recent definitions is the paradigm shift from instruction that caused or controlled learning, to instruction that facilitated learning. This shift puts the focus of the instruction on the learner and helping the learning apply knowledge. Another way of phrasing this is that one of the goals of instruction is to improve performance. (p.6-7)

So, where does that leave me and my definition of instructional technology? The 1994 definition de-emphasizing the linear nature of instructional design is important because it allows for alternative approaches. The more recent definitions that focus on the learner and learning outcomes as applications of knowledge mesh well with my belief in the importance of learner-centered instruction. The perfect definition of instructional technology is one that combines both key elements discussed above.

Stay tuned...tomorrow's discussion will focus on my exploration of professional organizations and literature in the field of instructional technology.