Instructional Technology (IT) is a field concerned with improving the efficiency and effectiveness of learning, performance improvement and instruction through:
- Designing instruction (including all the phases of activity from needs assessment to evaluation)
- Applying learning theory to instructional design
- Selecting delivery systems and designing techniques for a given delivery system
- Assessing human characteristics
- Conducting process and product evaluation
- Managing change and adopting innovations
- Building teams and managing projects
- Integrating instruction with other factors that influence human performance
- Implementing delivery to reach learners when they need it
- Using technology in support of the development and delivery of instruction
Our program provides graduate curricula for Master's (including Master's distance programs), Educational Specialist and Doctoral students. Starting in September, 2012, we will also offer a Bachelor's degree program in IT.
WSU's IT department offers two areas of emphasis (learning tracks) from which to choose. This option eliminates the "one size fits all" characteristic of many graduate programs and allows students to select plans and develop skills to succeed in their chosen career path.
Design & Performance Systems
This track is designed for those interest in obtaining employment or advancement in non-school settings in instructional design, performance improvement or multimedia.
People come into this track with backgrounds in health care, engineering, business, information technology, education, government and higher education.
Jobs commonly associated with this track include: Instructional Designer, Performance Technologist, Training Designer, Training Manager, Trainer, Instructional Technologist, etc.
For additional reading:
- International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI)
- American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)
- Richard Mayer
K-12 Technology Integration
This track is designed for teachers who are interested in learning technologies available to them to use in their classrooms and want to create dynamic lessons integrating technology. The focus in these courses is on the appropriate and creative use of technology — not simply on the technology itself. Students learn how to use existing resources as well as creating new technology based materials. Projects include lessons /units for classroom use as well as in-services and curriculum planning. By selecting appropriate classes, students in this track can develop skills for becoming classroom technologists, technology coordinators, and distance learning specialists.
For additional reading:
- Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL)
- International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
