Reiser provided a very interesting take of the history on instructional media. I really enjoyed reading the sections on World War II; knowing that this is when overhead projectors were first introduced is really amazing. This same technology was still used in University for teaching when I was attending my post-secondary education. It has now changed to document cameras, screen casting, or just updated projectors. I used projectors when I did training seminars with my old job as a Territory Sales Representative. The concept of using this type of technology for training is something that hasn’t changed in over 100 years. The technology may have gotten better, but the actual technology medium or equipment and usage is still the same. That is pretty incredible.
Reiser states that “….enthusiasm and interest [in a new medium] eventually fade, and an examination reveals that the medium has had a minimal impact on such practices” (Reiser, 2001). This statement really grabbed me. I disagree with several aspects of this statement. The introduction of a new medium of technology is very exciting and always draws a lot of attention. Just look at the number of people that read or watch the Apple new product launches, but I don’t think that the interest fades, I think the medium becomes part of the norm. The initial excitement brings the medium to being used by everyone and with social media, that adaptation is quick. To say that these new mediums have minimal impact on practices doesn’t seem to hold true. Just look at computers or tablets. In my new position as an instructor, I take my iPad Pro to every class. It holds all of my educational materials, I can access my textbooks and online teaching materials, and I can hook it up to the University projectors or computers. This medium hasn’t had a minimal impact, it allows me to take a lighter and smaller device to do my work more efficiently. Yes, I could use a computer or laptop, but again those mediums had a great impact on educational practice as well. Without these devices, I wouldn’t be setting up online homework assignments, providing the readings ahead of times, or doing online quizzes each class for my students. My students use iPads or tablets every class to complete note taking, assignments, and quizzes. This portable iPad/tablet medium allows me to be more efficient and effective for my students.
After reading Weller’s article, I feel like even though technology is changing everyday, maybe we aren’t quite where we should be. Educational technology and the adaptation of technology within the educational industry has been quite slow. “….edtech is not a game for the impatient” (Weller, 2018). This is surprising given that technology has had such a large impact on education, by providing the ability for students to learn online. I think it surprises me because through providing online learning applications, shouldn’t technology be changing at a greater pace in order to stay relevant and give students the best learning environment and tools in order to succeed? With more and more educational institutions providing online learning platforms for students, I hope to see more change and advancement. I hope we can look back in twenty years and say, wow!
References:
Reiser, R.A. ETR&D (2001) 49: 53. https://doi-org.ezproxy.royalroads.ca/10.1007/BF02504506
Weller, M. (2018). Twenty Years of Edtech. Retrieved from https://er.educause.edu/articles/2018/7/twenty-years-of-edtech