Instructional Design and Educational Technology: Defining the Field

Dr. John Monson

What is technology? What does an “instructional designer” do? How would you explain to your friends, work associates, or mother-in-law what it is you are learning and what you will be able to do with your future degree? This course should help you to develop you own understanding of the field and some of the history and issues surrounding it.

For my first idea of what an instructional designer is (& what I've been telling folks at cocktail parties for the last few months - since I have no mother-in-law), I'll draw from my own naive experience:

When I think of instruction, I think of military - like drill instructor.  I think of giving & taking orders.  When I think of design, I think of creation of a way to get somewhere or do something.  An algorithm.  A path.

I fancied myself somewhat of a curriculum designer for English as a Second Language learners while I was out in China & Saudi Arabia.  I like to think outside of the box & create more entertaining lessons so I always pushed the envelop.  I used quite a bit of gamification - designing lessons plans & procedures in sort of game show fashion.  

As IDET includes education technology, & I'd only been getting into that in the last couple of years in Saudi, I have been telling the theoretical mother-in-law that I would be designing engaging learning platforms & tools on "bleeding edge" technology - including Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality.

What is technology?  I've asked this question of many learners & fellow teachers.  The quick & dirty answer I give for this is:  A way (tool or procedure) to make things easier & more efficient.  And, as mentioned in class, the way must include FUN.  Or, as Dr. Monson phrased it, an element of appeal.  I believe new technology must have a fun side.  Otherwise, I do not believe the new technology will be adopted.

My experience in Saudi - Digitally Interfacing Classrooms