R511 course information: Distance Education: Instructional Systems Technology, School of Education, Indiana University at Bloomington

Distance Education: Instructional Systems Technology

R511: Instructional Technology Foundations

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisite(s): None.

Course Description

This is a core course in the IST program. It provides an overview of the field and profession of Instructional Technology. Given that many IST fields you come from, R511 provides a sense of history and an explanation of how the components of the field fit together. A particular emphasis is on the evolution of the "big ideas" of the field.

Course Activities

Readings and lectures. Each week, you will read the assigned texts and articles and listen to the lectures provided by the IST faculty members, available in PowerPoint presentations with audio files. After completing the readings and the lessons, you will be asked to consider a series of questions designed to stimulate reflection and class discussion.

Class discussion. You are encouraged to participate in online asynchronous discussion using the course discussion board. In this course forum, you will post your responses to the readings and the lessons, then read and comment on peers’ postings. While exploring topics and critiquing and refining ideas, you will receive guidance and feedback from the instructor.

Live chat. Live chat will take place once a week for about one hour. Hosted by the instructor, these regularly-held real-time sessions will bring the class together in a lively and informal setting.

Group discussion. Each week, you will create a group deliverable designed to help synthesize your understandings of the topics studied. In a group, you will write a one- to two page reply and explanation to the given group discussion topic.

Individual paper. At the end of the course, you will be asked to write a letter or memo to a friend, relative, or head of business unit explaining Instructional Technology or Performance Technology in your own language.

Colloquium journal. During this course, you will listen to colloquia available on audio CDs, which will help you be aware of important ideas, people, practices, trends and issues in the field of instructional technology. For each colloquium, you will be encouraged to keep a note of the key points and major insights you gain from each speaker. At the end of the course, you will be asked to submit journal entries, along with a one-page final summary of your reflections.

Time commitment. This course may take about 10 hours per week: 2 to 4 hours completing the reading assignments, 1 hour listening to the lectures, 2 to 3 hours participating in online discussion and live chat, and 1 to 2 hours listening to and summarizing the colloquia.

Course Specific Requirement

None.