What is Teaching with Technology?
Teaching with technology brings together learning theory and technological innovation to improve education and training, both on- and off-line. It is a growing profession with a rich history.
As MAT Program Director Caleb Clark says, “Geeks don't know much about teaching, and teachers don't know much about geeking.” Academically put, teaching with technology is about combining cognitive and behavioral psychology with technological innovation. It goes by many names, “educational technology” being the broadest, with variances such as: “instructional design (ID),” “instructional technology,” “e-learning,” “web-based training,” “distance ed,”and “academic technology.” No matter what you call it, it's the kind of career that feeds the purse without cannibalizing the person.
Instructional Systems Design (ISD) 101
Every professional discipline has its fundamental concepts. In this field it's called Instructional Systems Design (ISD). When we make a piece of technology that teaches or informs, we use ISD. ISD has many variations, but they are generally grounded in something called ADDIE:
- Analyze educational technology challenges to determine the best solutions. Do performance assessments and task analysis. Decide what to build. It could be a paper-based tutorial, web page, website, online class, in-person training, software system, help desk, or mobile support tool.
Design it. Test rough drafts. Make changes.
- Develop it into a working unit. Test it. Get it running smoothly.
- Implement it within the organization. Test it. Institutionalize it.
- Evaluate its effectiveness. Does it teach what it is supposed to? How do you know?
More Info
- History of Instructional Design
- One definition of Instructional Design
- ADDIE used to make a personal portfolio
- US Government's Educational Technology site
- Some current US Educational Technology jobs
- Some current US Instructional Design jobs
- Training Magazine industry report on 56 billion dollar training industry
- Growth forecast for Technology Coordinators through 2016 by US Gov.
Text Book Examples
- Principles of Instructional Design. 2004, Gagne.
- e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning Instructional Design. 2007, Clark & Mayer
- Beyond the Podium: Delivering Training and Performance to a Digital World. 2001. A. Rossett
Professional Organizations
- International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
- The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)
- Northeast Regional Computer Program (NERCOMP)
Major Learning Theories
New Learning Theory: Connectivism:
Here's a short video called “The Networked Student” about Connectivism.
Old Learning Theory: Behaviorism during World War II.
“Identifying the Japanese Zero” Part I. One of the more famous World War II training films that used Behaviorism and starred Ronald Regan. Try it, you'll be surprised how effective the instruction is.
Part II, “Identifying the Japanese Zero”
Our Offerings
- A 30-credit Master of Arts in Teaching with Technology (MAT)
- A 4-course Certificate in Instructional Technology
- Vermont State Educational Technology Specialist (ETS #42) Endorsement Courses.
- Professional development through our Continuing Education Program (CEP).
If you have any questions, please come visit us, email or call Joe Heslin in admissions (888)258-5665 x209, or the program director, Caleb Clark.
