Instructional Technology is a broad term. When you ask a person what it means, the answer will be determined by that persons’ educational, cultural, and economic backgrounds; their use of technology in an educational/Instructional setting; and whether they are even in an academic setting. My beliefs come from a perspective of being an insider in the academic arena via a technology specialist.

Instructional technology is, at least in my mind, a tool to be used in educational instruction. It is as simple as that. Instructional technology contains hardware, software, learning processes, and people.

If a teacher uses a hardware tool within the classroom (such as a SmartBoard, LCD projector, computer, or even an overhead projector), then that is the simplest definition of Instructional technology in most people’s minds. But I would suggest that the actual process that the instructor went through to decide to use that tool, would be a true example of instructional technology. By that I mean, when the instructor began the lesson plan (be it in their mind or written down), they had to decide which tools to use to achieve their ultimate goal. If using a blackboard (the type you write on with chalk, not the educational website) is all they needed, then that is an 100-plus year old example of instructional technology. If you use a computer with software such as Adobe Photoshop to assist in teaching a photography class, than that is another example of a physical instructional technology tool. The thought process that the teacher used to get to that spot, is also a very important part of the instructional technology.

In a nutshell, I would have to say that instructional technology is a culmination of all of the thought processes; the physical tools used in achieving the learning goal; and the instructor’s instructional plan. I will expand on these processes in the coming days.

What is your idea of technology integration within the classroom?  Let me know.