What is technology, and what does an "instructional designer" do? These were two questions that were presented to us as students in the Instructional Design and Educational Technology master’s program at the University of Utah.
When a group of friends from Utah Valley decided to pursue a Master's degree, I don't think any of us really knew what we could do with the degree. We knew it would open doors for us in the teaching field but that was about it. My "mother-in-law" and co-workers asked me what I plan to do with this degree. My answer to them, right now anyways, is to continue what I'm doing, advising and teaching at the college level. I'm hoping this degree will prepare me to become better at what I do.
Well, enough about that....let's see if I can answer the two questions for now. First question, "what is technology?" When I hear of technology, I obviously think of computers, televisions, IPODS, and all the cool things that are available now that wasn't available when I was growing up. It wasn't until further thinking, and "googleing" that I find out what technology really is.
Technology is the usage and knowledge of tools, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology). After reading this definition of technology, I realized, I'm so narrow minded. Technology isn't just the big and new things that we have; it's the actual tool of how we obtain information. There are a lot of different technological tools that are available, and it's definitely not a one size fits all.
I must say that this acquired knowledge of what technology really is, changes my outlook of what this degree can do for me.
