New Directions in IDT

 Section VIII addresses new directions and emerging technologies for IDT. Select three of the following and reflect on how you might apply them in your current or future position in the IDT field:

• distributed or e-learning environments
• reusable design or learning objects
• networks or Web 2.0 technologies
• rich media
• digital games or simulations
• virtual worlds

Out of the following my position inquires the following as an Afterschool Program rich media, digital games or simulations. With rich media, my afterschool program tries to incorporate curriculum that uses a variety of educational online media tools. I noticed by incorporating Youtube, eBooks, and Brain Pop Jr. the learning environment is more enjoyable and students are eager to learn.   Depending on the environment or how the lesson is prepared digital games or simulations can be presented as computer games, board games, or a computerized setting. With this type of learning students are creative, sharing, experimenting, and benefiting from one another.

As a program specialist I feel I should fulfill all staffs’ needs by making sure they are fostered and learning the ends and outs about technology. On my end, I like to me sure I’m always up-to-date with technology before presenting any new information. Technology is a learning process!

Section IX focuses on issues related to instructional design, rather than new technologies: professional ethics, diversity and accessibility, the nature of design, and providing instructional guidance. For each of the technologies you selected above, discuss what ethical issues using the technology might present. Does the technology enhance accessibility and accommodate diverse learning needs? How and/or can you design instruction using that technology? How much guidance would instruction with that technology require? What kinds of guidance would be necessary?

There are many ways on going about professional ethics, diversity and accessibility, the nature of design and providing instructional guidance. It depends on the way the teacher handles the issue. Since I’m the one who gives the Site Coordinators of our Afterschool program the actual curriculum I would like to say how I would approach a situation if I came across an issue that may be presented to me. For instance, if students were having trouble understanding the curriculum provided, I would definitely make sure each student needs were met. I would make sure all students’ needs were accommodated by using the technology. If they needed one on one help until they understood how to use the technology we could also provide this guidance as well.