Defining the Field

1. Reflect on the definitions the book has provided and develop your own definition as it relates to your work environment.
   
   In my opinion, the definitions in the book are very complex and do not really define the field.  In reading some of the definitions of the field made me think of political correctness or someone trying to sound more impressive by using sophisticated words to describe a simple concept.  Like when saying a "water boy" is a "hydration technician" or a person is "vertically challenged" rather than "short".  I get the fact that the definitions were trying to define a new field, and of course there is a human need to make one seem important.  So, maybe the definition authors were doing that, trying to make themselves seem important and needed by defining their field as complicated as possible.  Just because the definition or focus of a field is simple, does not lessen the importance of the field.  While I do like some of the concepts of the definition the author's have coined, I still think it is overly complex and purposely confusing.  I say that because I actually had some people in the training field, but with no formal education in the field of education, and they did not understand what I was actually studying.  As a trainer in the mortgage servicing industry, I always tell my trainees:  "Keep things simple and do not make it harder than it has to be."  Define the field of instructional design and technology?  The purpose of the instructional design and technology field is to facilitate the improved performance by analyzing the end need of the learner and implement the instructional format or process change to achieve the desired goal.  There is an easier and cliche way to say that: Use the right tool for the job.  Ultimately, that is what the field does.  Determines the need.  Finds the right solution.  Implements the solution.  Whether the solution be implementing a specific technology, or changing the process
   
2. Next, study the Dick, Carey and Carey model of instructional design. Redesign the model excluding and/or adding components as needed. Describe how the model adheres to the six characteristics of instructional design and how it fits in your work environment relating to your definition of instructional design.
   
   Based on the model of instructional design, it competes with the definition that the authors of the book present as the definition of the field.  The model is based on utilizing instructional solutions only, where as the author's definition proposes the use of "noninstructional" solutions.  That said, if the first step of the model is completed properly and a thorough needs analysis is conducted, then the learners and contexts should already be analyzed and the performance objectives should already be defined.  So the model should be: 1. Conduct needs Analysis  2. Develop Instructional Strategy 3. Develop and select instructional material  4. Develop Criterion Referenced Tests (Knowledge Checks)  5. Develop and conduct evaluation  6. Revise instruction as needed.
   
   As one that practices education in a corporate environment, our use of instructional design does not always follow all of the steps that educators in academic environment follow.  There are potential business needs or time constraints that do not allow for the luxury of a complete analysis, or the refining of instructional material.  Many times, we have to react to changes to the business in less than 48 hours and provide training to 300+ people on completely revamped policies and procedures.  The development and presentation is more like the triage center on a battlefield.  Stop the bleeding, stabilize the situation, then monitor and adjust treatment moving forward.
   
3. And finally, in chapter 3, there is discussion on how the internet and world wide web will have a major influence on the way instruction is delivered to learners. Based on what you know about these technological innovations combined with what you have read about the history of instructional films, television, the computer and more, discuss how technology is generally used in the field of education and how you foresee technology being used in the future in the following areas: K12 Education, Higher Education and Adult Education (continuing education). For example, think about how we are using the blog to capture learning in higher education. How could it be used in K12?
   
   From my experience with public education, technology is primarily used as a tool for engagement or as a means of taking a "break".  Many teachers use computers and videos as a means of engaging students to learn a subject, or just to keep them quiet watching a movie so they can take a break from the constant disciplinary problems that arise when students are bored and not engaged.  Of course, that is a very pessimistic view on the teachers and students and all teachers will emphatically deny, deny, deny that is a reality.  But it is a reality.  Many teachers use technology as a way to keep their kids engaged and calm.  They'll use a new gadget, gizmo, or techno-toy because it will buy them short periods of peace until kids get bored with it.  They do not care that the particular gizmo they are using is not improving the quality or amount of education, they just know that they do not have as big of a headache when the bell rings at the end of the day.  And trust me when I say, teaching adults in an corporate environment is not necessarily better.   The one advantage to teaching adults in a corporate environment is that if the student, does not learn the material, they will quickly be unemployed.
   
   Having said all that, I think using technology in education is a good thing when it is used properly and effectively.  If using a technology does not improve the amount or quality of the learning experience, then should it be used?  If the learning is the same, then maybe.  If the learning is less, then no.  It depends on the technology and the purpose.  There is a big push to adopt all the new technologies like blogs.  But is that really a good thing?  Take Facebook and Myspace as examples.  Those social media sites have millions of users, many of which are young users.  They are essentially blogs and online journals that could easily and are used for the purposes of education.  But is it safe?  Many people, young and old do not think about or comprehend the potential harm blogs and social networking sites could have on them.  There is the potential for personal thoughts and opinions to negatively harm them at school or work.  There is the potential for these sites to be used by people seeking to do harm to the owners by getting seemingly innocuous information and using it to gain the trust of a young person, or even steal identifying information.  Sure, you can teach people not to post certain information, but when you were a child, did you always follow every lesson your parents tried to teach you because you always agreed with their overprotective ways?  I didn't think so.
   
   Regardless of whether I agree with the use of blogs in education, they are going to be used by those that do support them and see them as a good thing.  What I would say to those that will use blogs as an online journal of reflection is be sure that the use of a blog is age/grade appropriate.  And police personal information as much as possible.  Especially if the blogs are out there able to be accessed by any and everyone.  While a young kid is going to be a bit more enthusiastic about typing up their thoughts on a blog, if you want to know what they think, make them practice the dying art of penmanship.