Reigeluth

Instructional design theory is used in very practical ways to create an environment where learning can easily occur. I thought it interesting that Reigeluth saw learning to include "cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual" (pg. 5). Unlike learning theory that studies the results of certain events or stimuli instructional design theory focuses on the desired result first and then designs an environment to achieve it. Dr. Gibbons wrote that learning theory looks for cause and effect relationships and instructional design theory seeks for effect and cause relationships. Furthermore, because instructional design theory is designed oriented it is more useful to practicing teachers because it can be applied in practical ways to help them teach their students. Reigeluth writes that the desired outcomes of instructional design theory are effectiveness, efficiency, and appeal. However in actual design their are trade-offs that must be made.

Reigeluth said, "instructional-design theory identifies methods of instruction (ways to support and facilitate learning) and the situations in which those methods should and should not be used." I have been thinking about the paper that I wrote on webcasting. From this reading I realized that the goals I had for the paper were not based on instructional design. I was looking for a solution to an instructional problem that I was having and because of the high poverty rate at my school I was unsure if it would be effective. However, it is clear that learning theory is the foundation for effective instructional design theory.

I have been reading a book called Disrupting Class and found many parallels to this article. Both saw the current model of instruction as ineffective for for solving our modern challenges. They also agree that technology will be the catalyst to start moving toward a more customized form of education. It seems that their thoughts are becoming reality. I recently talked my sister-in-law who had meet with someone who was working with Brain Honey. He had actually brought the book Disrupting Class to the meeting and was describing some exciting ways that they are trying to use technology to customize learning.