Ayomide Comfort, Ojo | ePortfolio

Introduction to my learning journey

This ePortfolio documents my learning journey through STE 353: Introduction to Instructional Technology. Over the course of ten lectures, I have developed a deep understanding of how technology can be systematically applied to enhance teaching and learning. It reflects not just the content I learned, but how my thinking about education evolved — from viewing technology as merely “tools” to understanding it as a complete systematic approach to facilitating learning.

Lecture 1

Educational Technology and Instructional Technology

Learning outcomes

Define educational technology and distinguish it from instructional technology.
Understand that educational technology comprises two major components: technology in education and technology of education.
Differentiate hardware/software approaches from systematic/methodological approaches to education.

Key concepts mastered

Educational technology is the broad field encompassing the facilitation of human learning through a wide range of resources. It integrates audio-visual and media technology, information and communication technology, systems theory, and the application of instructional theory.

Technology in education

The tools — hardware (projectors, computers, audio equipment) and software (films, transparencies, programs) used to deliver instruction.

Technology of education

The methodological aspect — systematic, scientific procedures for designing instruction, including analysis, organisation and evaluation using the systems approach.

Personal reflection

This lecture shifted my perspective significantly. I had always equated “educational technology” with computers and projectors. Now I understand that the process of systematically planning instruction is equally, if not more, important than the devices we use.

Lecture 2

Instructional Technology and Information Technology

Learning outcomes

Describe how technology affects the instructional process.
Explain the major roles of instructional technology in learning.
Define information technology and discuss its importance in education.

Key concepts mastered

Instructional technology is the facilitation of human learning through the systematic identification, development, organisation and utilisation of a full range of learning resources — characterised by broad learning resources, an emphasis on individualised learning, and the systems approach.

Mediated instruction emphasises that learning can be facilitated through various media, not only direct teacher–student interaction; learning experiences can be shaped by technology to create meaningful interactions.

The decision-making framework

AdministrativeWho shall be educated, and at what cost.

CurricularWhat is most worthy to learn.

InstructionalHow shall we teach.

Personal reflection

I have learnt about the types of decisions to be made in learning, and that instructional decisions deal solely with how to teach.

Lecture 3

Systems, Instructional System, and Design

Learning outcomes

Define a system and explain its application to education.
Describe an instructional system and articulate its components.
Identify three major orientations: teacher-based, media-based and peer-mediated approaches.

Key concepts mastered

A system is a collection of elements working cooperatively to achieve predetermined goals. I learned to distinguish formal education (the organised school system), non-formal education (specific skill training) and informal education (incidental learning).

Teacher-mediatedThe human teacher plays the central role through face-to-face interaction.

Media-basedMedia act as “teacher surrogates”, delivering instruction directly. Distance education exemplifies this.

Peer-mediatedStudents learn from one another through tutoring and cooperative learning.

Personal reflection

The systems approach has fundamentally changed how I view education. Instead of seeing teaching as isolated activities, I now understand it as an interconnected system where every component affects the others.

Lecture 4

Instructional System Development I: Definition

Learning outcomes

Identify the major dimensions of definition.
Describe the attributes of a target population.
Write appropriate instructional objectives.

Key concepts mastered

Effective instructional objectives contain three elements: the required terminal behaviour (what the learner will do), the conditions (under what circumstances) and the standards (acceptable performance criteria).

CognitiveKnowledge, comprehension and evaluation.

AffectiveAttitudes, values and appreciations.

PsychomotorMotor skills and perceptual abilities.

Personal reflection

I have learnt that definition is getting a clear understanding of a concept before planning a lesson on it.

Lecture 5

Instructional System Development II: Analysis

Key concepts mastered

Task analysis comes in three types: topic analysis for intellectual/cognitive tasks, job analysis for physical/psychomotor tasks, and skills analysis for the detailed operations of how a job is done.

Ruleg system

Presenting the rule before the examples (Ruleg), or examples before the rule (Egrule).

Hierarchy of capabilities

Repeatedly asking “What must the learner know to master this task?”

Personal reflection

I have learnt that objectives have to be set before there can be any analysing. Analysis is the breaking down of the objectives into a simpler order to make learning easier.

Lecture 6

View my presentation slides →

Instructional System Development III: Design

Key concepts mastered

Teacher-centred methods

Lecture and demonstration — suitable for large groups.

Learner-centred methods

Case studies, role play and games — they encourage active participation.

Media categories

Real objects: natural and human-made items.
Audio-visual media: audio systems and visuals.
Written / printed media: books, journals and manuals.

Personal reflection

Design is where the content, method and media are chosen. It deals with how a topic will be taught.

Lecture 7

Instructional System Development IV: Evaluation

Key concepts mastered

Formative evaluation

Occurs during instruction; focuses on mastery and corrective feedback.

Summative evaluation

Occurs at the end; focuses on grading and selection.

Functions of evaluation

Diagnose learning and teaching problems.
Provide feedback for corrective teaching.
Enable mastery of prerequisites.

Personal reflection

Evaluation is a very important aspect of teaching and learning; it helps the teacher know whether he or she has achieved the objectives of the topic.

Lecture 8

Programmed Learning

Key concepts mastered

Psychological basis: Thorndike's Law of Exercise and Law of Effect, and Skinner's reinforcement theory — behaviour is shaped through positive reinforcement.

Linear programming (Skinner)

All students follow the same sequence of small frames.

Branching programming (Crowder)

Multiple-choice responses determine the next frame based on correctness.

Lecture 9

New Trends in Instructional Technology

Key concepts mastered

Applications in Nigeria: the systems approach is evident in Nigeria's 6-3-3-4 education system and in curricula developed by NERDC.

Constraints: technical competence and personal commitment are the primary challenges, not infrastructure alone. The “soft technology” of processes can be applied regardless of hardware availability.

Lecture 10

Introduction to ICT in Education

Key concepts mastered

Computer-Assisted Instruction

Individualised learning, drills, tutorials and simulations.

Computer-Managed Instruction

Scheduling, record-keeping and assessment processing.

Conclusion

Throughout this course, my understanding of instructional technology has evolved from seeing it as simply “using machines in teaching” to appreciating it as a comprehensive, systematic approach to facilitating learning. I understand now that technology in education is not just about devices — it is about the systematic application of knowledge to improve learning outcomes.

Comfort Ayomide, Ojo · E053494 STE 353 · Introduction to Instructional Technology