Reflective Essay #3

Reflection #3
When I first created my social bookmarking site I thought about how beneficial it would be for teachers to post a lot of different web sites on one central location. As a teacher, I would post websites like united streaming, discovery education, and several other science related websites. This would be a place where students could go and get support on in depth science questions. In my middle school science classes I always have at least 5 students each year that constantly ask me in depth science related questions. I would encourage these particular students to visit my social bookmarking site and research these sorts of questions.
The definition of instructional technology has definitely changed over the years. In the 1950’s instructional technology was viewed as media based. As time went on into the 1960’s instructional technology was viewed as media based and it was discussed as being a process. Today instructional technology has an entirely more complex meaning. Reiser and Dempsey state that instructional technology is a complex process that is intended to improve learning and performance in a variety of settings. In the future I want to pursue a career as a technology instructor. I will need to be familiar with the design, development, implementation, evaluation, and management of instructional processes intended to improve learning and performance.
Looking at Figure 2.1 on page 12 I have noticed some similarities between my lesson plans and the core elements of instructional design. On a daily basis, I develop new methods of instruction, I design the most current and up to date lessons, and I evaluate student work. Like instructional design, my classroom is based on setting goals and centering the focus on these particular goals. My lesson plans are generated not only towards individual success but also towards team efforts, which are characteristics of instructional design.