What is Instructional Technology?
The Domain of Design
The Domain of Development
The Domain of Utilization
The Domain of Management
The Domain of Evaluation
Conclusion
What is Instructional Technology?
Seels and Richey succinctly defined the field of Instructional Technology in
their 1994 work, Instructional Technology: The Definition and Domains of the
Field: "Instructional Technology is the theory and practice of design,
development, utilization, management and evaluation of processes and resources
for learning." In this definition lies the outline of the areas of expertise of
the Instructional Designer, including the five domains of Instructional
Technology that will be expanded below: Design, Development,
Utilization/Implementation, Management, and Evaluation. This is not by any means
the only definition. The U.S. Commission on Instructional Technology (USCIT)
describes Instructional Technology as “a systematic way of designing, implementing and evaluating the total
process of learning and teaching in terms of specific objectives, based on
research in human learning and communication and employing a combination of
human and non-human resources to bring about more effective instruction.”
The USCIT specifies domains similar to Seels and Richey: design of instruction, production of instructional products and services, management of instruction, and evaluation of instruction. In attempting to meld many definitions into one all-encompassing definition,
Tom Cutshall has come up with the following definition:
Instructional technology is the research in and application of behavioral science and learning theories and the use of a systems approach to analyze, design, develop, implement, evaluate and manage the use of technology to assist in the solving of learning or performance problems. (Tom Cutshall, http://www.arches.uga.edu/~cutshall/tomitdef.html).
These definitions illuminate the essential elements of Instructional Technology:
- It is a systematic process.
- It is based on scientific theory.
- It is a practical and useful application of learning theory.
- It uses appropriate technology.
- Its purpose is to create effective learning experiences.
A summary definition that addresses all the elements of the field of Instructional Technology can be stated as: Instructional Technology is the systematic, practical application of current educational research and learning theories, by means of the most appropriate technologies, in the pursuit of effective learning experiences.
The field of Instructional Technology is divided into five domains, as suggested in Seels and Richey's definition above: Design, Development, Utilization, Management, and Evaluation. Click on the domain name to see details of each.
