1. Instructional Technology What it is—and how to use it Kathleen Rowe, Adjunct Lecturer Basic Educational Skills Queensborough Community College March, 2010

2. Technology is the study and use of tools It’s that simple.

3. “Media” are types of tools used for communication and learning Auditory—everything from yodels, whistles to CDs Visual—smoke signals, painting, writing, videos Tactile—from feeling objects to a punch or a hug Kinesthetic—body language, dance, flight simulators Olfactory—perfume, flowers, object recognition Gustatory—chocolate, taste test

4. History of Instructional Technology Balking at everything new Good strides forward after acceptance of effective media and culling of “fad” media “Students today can’t prepare bark to calculate their problems. They depend on their slates, which are more expensive. What will they do when the slate is dropped and it breaks? They will be unable to write.” Teacher’s Conference (1703) “Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of education in our country. Students use these devices and then throw them away. The American values of thrift and frugality are being discarded. Businesses and banks will never allow such expensive luxuries.” Federal Teachers (1950)

5. History of Instructional Technology A New Era “This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it’s nothing but wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.” –Edward R. Murrow

6. New technology can be hard to keep up with at times YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFiPbZNUjAI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFiPbZNUjAI YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cd7Bsp3dDo&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cd7Bsp3dDo&feature=related

7. Your best bet… Apply what you already know—your comfort zone Get help from all the great resource people at QCC* Add one new medium per semester or year Remember the purpose of it all * Instructional design technologists assist classroom and distance learning instructors with their design of media and course content. Trained in pedagogy as well as technology, they can help you design how your online course software operates, as well as how to present your course content to students for most effective online learning.Instructional design technologists *

8. Conclusion As they have for millennia, technology and media have evolved and grown. They have transmogrified into different shapes but, essentially, still perform the same functions as vehicles of communication and learning. The tools may have changed but, the essential purposes of their use remain the same. The content of communication, teaching, and learning must still be the essential focus.