Definition of Instructional Technology

To me, the definition of Instructional Technology is the use of technology in a "formal" education setting. That setting could be in a school, university, corporation, hospital, and most recently, in one's home. Teachers use technology to enable their students to create detailed, attractive graphic organizers to show what they have learned, computer programs to create "virtual models" of things such a molecules, animals, etc. At the university level, students may be asked to create a webpage to share their knowledge with others, and instructors expect that students will be proficient in using technology. Now, with the increase of distance education, technology is used to allow people to access courses and school programs that may have been out of their reach previously. The instructional technology field also encompasses the creation of the programs and materials that can be used in an instructional setting. I see this field as being one that will allow people to experience things that might be impossible without technology. It links us to far-away people and places and ideas, which can enrich our educational experiences.