Definitions of Instructional Technology

Courses & Certification

• Instructional Design Certificate (Fully Online). This fully online program is for anyone
developing and/or teaching an online course. Learn more...
• ADDIE Instructional Design Certificate Program (Fully Online). This fully online program is
designed for individuals interested in learning more about the ADDIE model. Learn more...
• Instructional Design Models Certificate (Fully Online). You will explore traditional instructional
design models and the progression of the learning design approach to creating online learning
experiences. Learn more...

What is instructional technology? What is instructional design? Are the term Instructional
Technology and Educational Technology considered synonymous?

Instructional technology is the branch of education concerned with the scientific study
of instructional design and development. The main purpose of instructional designers is to create
engaging, effective learning experiences.

There are a variety of models (e.g., ADDIE, Backward Design, ASSURE etc).

Instructional Technology
1963
Audiovisual communications is the branch of educational theory and practice concerned with the
design and use of messages which control the learning process. It undertakes: (a) the study of the
unique and relative strengths and weaknesses of both pictorial and nonrepresentational messages
which may be employed in the learning process for any reason; and (b) the structuring and
systematizing of messages by men and instruments in an educational environment. These
undertakings include planning, production, selection, management, and utilization of both
components and entire instructional systems. Its practical goal is the efficient utilization of every
method and medium of communication which can contribute to the development of the learners’
full potential [2] – Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)

1970
Instructional technology … is a systematic way of designing, carrying out, 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 [3] – President‟s Commission on Instructional
Technology (PCIT)
Instructional Technology is the Development (Research, Design, Production, Evaluation,
Support-Supply, Utilization) of Instructional Systems Components (Messages, Men, Materials,
Devices, Techniques, Settings) and the Management of that development Organization,
Personnel) in a systematic manner with the goal of solving educational problems [4]

1982
Instructional technology] is concerned with improving the effectiveness and efficiency of
learning in educational contexts, regardless of the nature or substance of that learning.
…Solutions to instructional problems might entail social as well as machine technologies [5]

1994
Instructional Technology is the theory and practice of design, development, utilization,
management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning [1] – Association for
Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)

Seels, B. B., & Richey, R. C. (1994). Instructional technology: The definition and domains of the field.
Washington, DC: Association for Educational Communications and Technology.

1995
The systemic and systematic application of strategies and techniques derived from behavioral
and physical sciences concepts and other knowledge to the solution of instructional problems. [6]

2013
Instructional technology includes practical techniques of instructional delivery that
systematically aim for effective learning, whether or not they involve the use of media. It is a
basic purpose of the field of instructional technology to promote and aid the application of these
known and validated procedures in the design and delivery of instruction. [7]

References

1. Seels, B. B. & Richey, R. C. (1994). Instructional technology: The definition and domains of the
field. Bloomington, IN: Association for Educational Communications and Technology.
2. Ely, D.P. (Ed.). (1963). The changing role of the audiovisual process in education: A definition and
a glossary of related terms. TCP Monograph No. 1. AV Communication Review, 11(1),
Supplement No. 6.
3. Commission on Instructional technology. (1970). To improve learning: A report to the President
and the Congress of the United States. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
4. Silber, K. H. (1970). What Field Are We In, Anyhow?. Audiovisual Instr, 15(5), 21-4.
5. Cassidy, M. F (1982). Toward integration: Education, instructional technology, and semiotics.
Educational Communications and Technology Journal, 20(2), 75–89.
6. Gentry, C. G. (1995). Educational technology: A question of meaning. In G. Anglin (Ed.),
Instructional technology: Past, present, and future. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.
7. Gagne, R. M. (2013). Instructional technology: foundations. Routledge.