Week+1+Instructional+Technology+Profession

**What is Instructional Technology?**

Instructional technology deals with the appropriate use of available technologies for a specific educational endeavor. This involves a complete analysis of the educational task at hand and careful analysis of the end result to be achieved and the best methods to get there while maintaining maximum retention. The next step is to review the types of technologies available and to apply them for this specific purpose. These procedures need to take into account the target audience and how they learn. The learning patterns for adults as an example, differs greatly from those of a teenager.

Resource: [|http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~smflanag/edtech/basic.htm]

**The Moving Target Discussion**

Change always occurs and at a pace far quicker than we realize. If we do not keep our fingers on the pulse of the world, changes can past us by and force us to play catchup. Kind of like a 70 year old learning the internet the first time.
 * My initial reactions to slide show:**

The US like England in 1900, were the world leaders in terms of finance, technology and other fields. Neither noticed that the rest of the world caught up with them before it became too late. Resting on ones laurels causes this to happen although often it is not deliberate.
 * My ah-ha moments:**

An excellent study. Often we keep thinking about technology, its impact and how to implement it. Not always realizing that although we need to teach the next generation these tech skills, equally important are the “old world” skills such as literacy, intellectual capital including multitasking, managing complexity and social/personal skills.
 * My initial reactions to enGauge study:**

Yes. The definition should relate back to the application of such technologies taking into account the development of the skills noted in the study than complement tech learning for a well rounded education.
 * Does the slide show and NCREL study apply to the definition of instructional technology?**

**Instructional Technology Professional Job Definition**:

This individual will be a member of the training department. The training department is responsible for creating and implementing interactive instructional guides to support product launches with the end result being the development of a knowledgeable sales team. The Instructional Technology professional will keep abreast of the latest instructional technologies in the market and be responsible for recommending and weaving in appropriate technologies into the training process to speed learning and improve retention.
 * Corporate**

This individual will be the chief academic technology officer in charge of keeping abreast of the latest technologies, maintaining a library of such technologies and being responsible for selecting the most appropriate ones for use to achieve the academic goals both in terms of student learning and course management.
 * Higher Ed**

This individual will direct the use of appropriate technologies for specific purposes within the school system. Responsibilities include being aware of new technologies in the market and appropriate uses given the demands of the application. This position requires a thorough understanding of the needs of the school district, and the learning patterns of students.
 * K-12 District**

This individual will be responsible for thoroughly learning the instructional technology systems as defined by the school system. A major responsibility to facilitate the entire faculty in learning such systems and to act as a help desk when needed. System customization, on an enterprise level, is also the responsibility of this individual.
 * K-12 Building**