The definition of Instructional
Technology is very different for me from what the books states. I had the technology part all in my mind. I
was thinking of how we use electronic technology like computers, iPads,
Promethean boards and thing of that nature in mind. It seem that those things are included in Instructional
Technology, but it is much more. It is
how we plan and use this technology as well.
It is also how we learn and teach the use of all forms of technology.
I think a lot of lesson we teach
these days are student centered. I teach Kindergarten and we do a great deal of
student centered activities where they are even helping to teach by getting up
in front of the class. All lesson we
teach should be goal oriented. For instance if I am teaching the alphabet my
goals are for the children to learn to recognize the symbol that represents
each letter, the sound each letter makes and to be able to write each letter. I
use meaningful performance by checking for understanding. I may ask a question rigorous
question or have a project for them to complete. I think for outcomes that can
be measured in a reliable way we do that with have the children put it to
pencil and paper or reproduce a product that fits the lesson. For instance if
we are leaning the letter A, I might have a student tell me what symbol (a)
that I am holding up, what sound does it make, can you write it? I might even
have them locate things around the room that start with that sound. As far as
empirical, iterative and self-correcting, I am still working on that one. I am collecting date from different sources
to try and help my students to better themselves. I agree that it is a team
effort. In planning any lesson it is
easier when you do it with others. It is
nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of and to just help with getting
everything needed together.
I feel that Reiser is wrong in
excluding chalkboards and textbooks from his definition. We still need these things and they are
technology. Students still need concrete
things to help them to learn. They need
to know that there are other things to learning besides things with a screen
like computers, iPads, iPhones and Promethean (smart boards).
I am intrigued to learn more about
this subject.
