The World Wide Web and Internet Influence on Education, Week 2, 3 of 3

Week 2    3 of 3

Chapter 3 – A History of Instructional Design and Technology

One of the most interesting discoveries I made in reading chapter 3 was the influence of technology in the winning of World War II.  The German Chief of General Staff said, “We had everything calculated perfectly except the speed with which America was able to train its people.  Our major miscalculation was I n underestimating their quick and complete mastery of film education” (cited in Olsen & Bass, 1982. P. 33). 

The modern-day impact of technology and information dissemination has the potential of have an even greater impact on education, the quality of life for the planet and effect on national and world politics.

Currently in the United States technology is used in every American classroom from the overhead projector to the interactive Smart Board, iPods, and interactive internet and computer programs.    It is used to reach a variety of learning styles and to cement concepts that are presented in visual, auditory and interactive formats.  Research has changed from digging in dusty books, to having a comprehensive list of sources in moments with the citation included.  American students literally have the world at their fingertips and also the opportunity to be exposed to the ideas of world experts, witness historical events and be part history as it happens.  It is an historic time for students and teachers.

When I was completing my Master of Education degree at East Texas State University in 1992 one of the last courses I took was an elective related to Educational Technology.  The parting words of the professor were for us to do more research into distance learning.  She was on target.   In less than ten years I was teaching online courses, although it was on-the-job training.   In less than twenty years technology has changed the face and format of public education.  Currently students k-12 and in higher and adult education have the opportunity to participate in distance learning.  The State of Texas has online high schools with online teachers and counselors.  Community colleges, colleges and university have the spectrum of classes from totally face to face, face to face with an online component, online to totally online degrees.

This online, distance learning infrastructure will continue to remove boundaries to education.  I see less face to face contact, less building use and more enrollment in online k-12 schools and universities.  In k-12 I do not see classroom instruction totally eliminated due to the need for socialization, but I do see more home based schooling with the online curriculum.  I see the k-12 format used for lab classes and electives with the core taught in virtual classrooms.  This evaluation in delivery will  forces schools to be more competitive and deliver better instructional products in order for parents to subscribe to their courses.

One of my personal regrets is that I have been so busy teaching, that I have not been able to take advantage of the fun adult education classes.  I look forward to doing this in retirement.  I see many of these staying on a campus and face to face.  The impact technology is making on adult education is the need for adults to stay updated on technology, maintain their licenses or certifications or gain general workplace knowledge.  I see these delivered through online classes.

With the rate education and technology have merged in the last ten to twenty years, the next twenty will produce extraordinary opportunities for a more learned population and global interaction.