Instructional Technology Facilitate Learning

^Published by Melissa^

When we talk about instructional technology, one things comes up into our minds is the definition of instructional technology itself. On the previous article we have talked about several instructional definition of technology .One of the definition which we can take from the previous article is ~ Instructional technology includes practical techniques of instructional delivery that systematically aim for effective learning, whether or not they involve the use of media. (Gagne, 2011: 7). When we read or heard the word instructional technology, sometimes we think that it had an entanglement or in common with educational technology. Whereas instructional technology and educational technology is the two different things. Educational technology is emphasized to the use of technology as the implement is applied  during the learning process, while instructional technology talk about the technique and instruction which we apply to the learning process to attain the meaningful learning.

But what is meaningful learning? Meaningful learning occurs when complex ideas and information are combined with students’ own experiences and prior knowledge to form personal and unique understandings. Learning is meaningful when the student comprehends the relationship of what is being learned to other knowledge. Unfortunately the students’ role was to learn the information presented by the technology, just as they learned information presented by the teacher. The role of the technology was to deliver lessons to students, just as trucks deliver groceries to supermarkets (Clark, 1983). If you deliver groceries, people will eat. If you deliver instruction, students will learn. Before we find the way of how to overcome this inaccurate technique of learning, here are some characteristics of meaningful learning. (Wikibooks, 2008)

The main characteristics of meaningful learning are that it is active, constructive, intentional, authentic, and cooperative.

•   Active – learning occurs through interactions with and manipulations of the environment
• Constructive – learning occurs when we reflect on our learning activities in order to assign meaning to them
• Intentional – learning occurs when students can identify the learning goals and are aware of their progress toward actively achieving the goals.
• Authentic – learning occurs when context-based, complex, and relative to real-life.
• Cooperative – learning occurs through working with others and participating in a learning community (Grabe & Grabe, 2007). 

How Instructional Technology Facilitate Learning

If instructional technology is used to foster meaningful learning, then they will not be used as delivery vehicles. Rather, instructional technology should be used as engagers and facilitators of thinking. 

Instructional technology facilitators provide, promote, and participate in shared leadership. They are valued for leading a strong and comprehensive school instructional technology program which provides tools, resources, and content that promote critical thinking, problem solving, and information and communications literacy while also making content engaging, relevant, and meaningful to students. Instructional technology facilitators encourage student-owned 21st Century learning including collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity. They enable teaching in all content areas Instructional technology facilitators demonstrate the value of lifelong learning and encourage the school community to learn and grow. They are reflective about their practice and promote inclusion and analysis of assessments that are authentic, structured, and demonstrate student understanding.

To make it easier to understand of how instructional technology facilitate learning, here are the map of The NC Professional Instructional Technology Facilitator Standards:

References:

Bonwell, C., & Eison, J. (1991). Active learning: Creating excitement in the classroom. George Washington University, Washington DC: ERIC Clearinghouse on Higher Education. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED340272)

D. Jonassen, J. Howland, R.M. Marra, D. Crismond. (2008). Meaningful Learning With Technology edition, p. 5-10.

Grabe, M., & Grabe, C. (2007). Integrating technology for meaningful learning. (5th ed.), New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin CompanyTileston, D. (2004). What every teacher should know about media and technology . Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.