Philosophy of Instructional Technology

My philosophy of instructional technology has been developed through the learning and reflection that I have done academically, and especially since graduating with a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology in 2023 from The University of Alabama and currently pursuing my PhD in Instructional Leadership at UA Online. This field has also given me a better understanding of how technology can improve education by improving equity, inclusion and accessibility. This is where theory meets practice – instructional technology is not just tools, it is a method of providing accessible and effective learning experiences for all.

Instructional technology is defined by Seels and Richey (1994) as the theory and practice of developing, using, managing, and evaluating systems and applications for teaching and learning. It uses multimedia, digital platforms and adaptive technologies to enhance learning and teaching. This field is crucial in providing engaging, personalized and accessible education to meet the needs of the contemporary learner.

Good instructional technology starts with the learner. Motivating students by providing relevant and engaging content is key. Educators must be a good role model and promote social cognitive theory and encourage self-regulation of learning. Therefore, for effective instructional technology, I believe that instruction should be tailored to the needs of the learners and there should be a lot of involvement in the learning process.

The instructors should be adaptive, patient and lifelong learners as well as teachers. Teachers are both enactors and guides, using new technologies, and designing engaging, inclusive, and fun learning environments. Students and peers’ feedback is valuable in determining the most effective way of presenting information to meet the needs of the target audience, and ethical use of technology in education ensures that technology is used properly.

Technology is a powerful equalizer in education, and it can help in reducing the digital divide and improving accessibility of education. For example, UDL tools help in creating universal environments that are friendly to all learners. The challenges we faced during the COVID-19 pandemic have taught us how to use technology to enhance collaboration, engagement, and equity in learning. In this sense, technology can offer a more individualized and better learning experience for all the students.

One of the most important issues in the use of technology in education is the ethical use of technology in education. Copying and sharing of content, analyzing gaps in technology, such as biased algorithms or user interfaces, is another way of looking at the issue of equity in technology design. This includes issues of diversity and inclusivity in the design process as critical.

True educators with students centered teaching ensure they include blended learning, flipped classrooms, adaptive learning, and project-based activities as main strategies. Technology is used to support personalized learning and active engagement with content, and to promote creative and collaborative learning processes.

Instructional technology, as an emerging field, has the potential to transform education. Based on my academic experience, for example, I have learned how important it is to develop, implement, and promote equitable solutions by conducting a digital accessibility audit against the WCAG standards. Applying Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles in conjunction with new technology makes the education system become more equitable and stimulating. This is the responsibility of the educators to prepare students for the world with the help of technology and at the same time address issues of oppression through the right design and application of technology.

References

Seels, B. B. & Richey, R. C. (1994). Instructional technology: The definition and domains of the field. Bloomington, IN: Association for Educational Communications and Technology.

Herschbach, D. R. (1995). Technology as Knowledge: Implications for Instruction. Journal of Technology Education, Vol. 7, No. 1.

Margolis, May-Varas, & Mead (2022). Educational Learning Theories: 3rd Edition. Education Open Textbooks.