Instructional Technology (ANALYSIS)

Since technology got a great impact in the world, education has changed a lot, it has done teaching and learning easier, but mostly for those who we call DIGITAL NATIVES. Teachers are the facilitator and are in charge of leading those learners by using IT resources. We can defined IT (Instructional Technology as the effective use of technological tools in Teaching. As a concept, it concerns an array of tools, such as media, machines and networking hardware, as well as considering underlying theoretical perspectives for their effective application. Technology has become an essential part of the education since it is used by this new generation of learners almost all the time. From a short age many children already have a cellphone, tablet or computer and that is why teachers have to be updated with those kind of tools and the apps that students can utilize in order to improve learning or engage students to learn by using those resources.Instructional technology goes beyond than the use of a computer, it involves a lot of devices and applications, so this is not restricted to high technology. Nonetheless, electronic educational technology, has become an important part of society today, comprising an extensive array of digitization approaches, components and delivery methods. The old way of teaching using the blackboard and the amount of heavy books has expired, now needs are changing, people is changing, the entire world is turning in a virtual mode; people communicate virtually, students find information on a website, and also many students receive classes from their bed just by making a click. This makes me wonder How much Digital Immigrants have to learn in order to teach Digital Natives? and the answer is A LOT! Because as technology is increasing, the needs to educate through it are increasing as well and teachers must be updated at the same time.

Technology continues changing the way we live, work, and play. Technology is also changing education in two ways: first, by offering new resources to engage students in learning, and second, by giving them an opportunity to learn about new technological fields, leading to jobs and to a greater understanding of how these fields affect the world. In this module, you will examine a variety of technologies that support teaching and learning, focusing on the impact of technology on the learner. Teaching and learning can be enhanced through the effective use of technology. As we must know Instructional Technology came to facilitate both the English Language Teaching and the English Language Learning because through the use of different methods teachers create a technological environment for the students to learn easier and also to create an active learning which includes any activity in whicheverystudent must think, create, or solve a problem and nothing better that including technology for better results. With this, we also stimulate students participation, we help them gain experience with a process or skill, and they interact with the technological material. One of the advantages of using IT in the classroom is that teachers can reach students with different learning styles including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.Technology can be a great addition to the classroom. It is most successful when used to improve student learning and help students reach their goals. You may get ideas about using different technologies from a variety of sources, including colleagues who've had success or a particular resource made available by your college. The range of technologies is great and increases every day. Ultimately it will be up to you to evaluate the potential effectiveness of a particular technology for your course and your students. The most teachers and students are in touch with technology the process of teaching and learning would be easier even more every time they use them.Referenciesarcade, t. e. (02 de june de 2015). Obtenido de http://education.mit.edu/papers/GamesSimsSocNets_EdArcade.pdfTechnology, I. (01 de June de 2015). Obtenido de http://www.ddsb.ca/Schools/Documents/Instructional_Technology_Plan_2012-15.pdfWikipedia. (02 de june de 2015). Obtenido de http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_technology

By: Rhina Benitez