ail 601: Principles of instructional technology
Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to the professional field and profession of instructional technology. It provides a sense of history and an explanation of how the components of the field fit together. There is a particular emphasis on the evolution of the major themes and movements in the field.
Course Reflection:
AIL 601 provided an introduction to the underlying learning theories that must be considered when designing instruction. In this course we analyzed, compared, and discussed various learning theories that were outlined in our text Psychology of Learning for Instruction by Driscoll. Of the learning theories we were exposed to, I found myself most connected to constructivism. The idea that students "construct" their learning through experience is most compatible with my own personal philosophy of education. What I thought was particularly interesting was that I was not expecting this course to be essentially a psychology course. In retrospect, I understand why studying learning theory was so important. However, I don't know that, at the time, I made the connection between the psychological theories and the course title "Principles of Instructional Technology." It seems that a course title like "Principles of Instructional Design" or "The Psychology of Instructional Technology" would have been more appropriate.
We were also required to explore professional instructional technology communities and to join at least one. I joined the ITFORUM listserv, ISTE, and Association of Learning Technologies.
Overall, I thought this was an excellent course. I found it to be one of the most challenging courses in my graduate school experience. The amount of information discussed with regard to learning theories was fascinating and has informed the way that I approach instructional design.
This course provides an introduction to the professional field and profession of instructional technology. It provides a sense of history and an explanation of how the components of the field fit together. There is a particular emphasis on the evolution of the major themes and movements in the field.
Course Reflection:
AIL 601 provided an introduction to the underlying learning theories that must be considered when designing instruction. In this course we analyzed, compared, and discussed various learning theories that were outlined in our text Psychology of Learning for Instruction by Driscoll. Of the learning theories we were exposed to, I found myself most connected to constructivism. The idea that students "construct" their learning through experience is most compatible with my own personal philosophy of education. What I thought was particularly interesting was that I was not expecting this course to be essentially a psychology course. In retrospect, I understand why studying learning theory was so important. However, I don't know that, at the time, I made the connection between the psychological theories and the course title "Principles of Instructional Technology." It seems that a course title like "Principles of Instructional Design" or "The Psychology of Instructional Technology" would have been more appropriate.
We were also required to explore professional instructional technology communities and to join at least one. I joined the ITFORUM listserv, ISTE, and Association of Learning Technologies.
Overall, I thought this was an excellent course. I found it to be one of the most challenging courses in my graduate school experience. The amount of information discussed with regard to learning theories was fascinating and has informed the way that I approach instructional design.
Syllabus
| AIL 601 Syllabus |
