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UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA
TECHNOLOGY

1.0 Intended Learning Outcomes

a. Explain relevant terms and conceptual knowledge pertaining to instructional media.

b. Develop a conceptual map depicting the relationship of learning, instruction, media,
and technology.
c. Assess the significance of instructional media technology as an aid in ensuring an
effective teaching-learning process.

1.1. Introduction
Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers is
transformational. - George Couros
In the advent of modern technological tools, tremendous impact has been brought not
only to industrial aspects but also in the field of education. The roles of teachers and students
have also changed. Some of the teaching-learning tools and materials that we use in the
traditional classroom such as charts and chalkboards have become obsolete to the extent that
it no longer meet the needs of an effective teaching-learning process, thus results to the need
to be replaced by the modern technology. These modern technology paved way to
technology integration in the classroom that provides a wide spectrum of educational
technological tools. Teachers and students can now employ multimedia technology that
involve different senses and cater the needs of the students with diverse background and
characteristics. These technological tools also offers varied learning experiences from abstract
to concrete, from one sensory to multi-sensory. However, with great power comes a great
responsibility. This modernity brings a challenge to the teacher in the 21 st century. It is a
challenge for the teacher to not be obsolete and be replaced by these tools. Teachers should
know when and where to use these tools. Teachers should put in mind that these tools are
mere aids and not a replacement.
This learning packet introduces you to concepts related to instructional media
technology. Different terms such as learning, instruction, and media are discussed in this
unit and its relationship from each other. You will also learn the different types of educational
media. Lastly, assessment provided ensures the attainment of the objectives.
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Let’s Know More!

CONCEPT OF LEARNING

In the process of education, learning occupies a central position. Whatever exists in

our educational set up is meant for the learning of the learners, i.e. students.
Therefore, it is quite essential for you, as a prospective teacher, to be acquainted with the
concept of the term LEARNING.

LEARNING DEFINED

Learning situations are most natural and common in life and every one of us is
continuously learning one thing or the other, although he/she may not necessarily be aware
of it. An individual starts learning immediately after his birth. While approaching a burning
matchstick, the child gets burnt and he/she withdraws. Another time when he/she faces a
burning matchstick, he/she takes no time to withdraw himself/herself away. He/she learns
to avoid not only the burning matchstick but also all burning things. When this happens, we
say that the child has learned if he/she touches aflame, he will be burnt. In this way, the
behavior of an individual is changed through direct or indirect experiences. This change in
behavior brought by experience is commonly known as LEARNING.

Some common definitions of the term LEARNING are given below cited from
Mangal (2015):

 Gardner Murphy (1968) - The term LEARNING covers every modification in

behavior to meet environmental requirements.

 Henry P. Smith (1962) - Learning is the acquisition of new behavior or the

strengthening or weakening of old behavior as the result of experience.

 Woodworth (1945) - Any activity can be called ‘Learning’ so far as it

develops the individual (in any respect, good or bad) and makes him alter
behavior and experiences different from what otherwise would have
been.

 Kingsley and Garry (1957) - Learning is the process by which

behavior (in the broader sense) is originated or changes through practice or
training.
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 Robinson and Horrocks (1967) - Learning is an episode in which a
motivated individual attempts to adapt his behavior so as to succeed in a
situation which he perceives as requiring action to attain a goal.

 Crow and Crow (1973) - Learning is the acquisition of habits,

knowledge and attitudes. It involves new ways of doing things and it
operates in an individual’s attempts to overcome obstacles or to adjust to
new situations. It represents progressive changes in behavior. It enables
him to satisfy interests to attain goals.

 Hilgard (1958: 3): Learning is the process by which an activity originates or is

changed through reacting to an encountered situation provided that the
characteristics of the change in activity cannot be explained on the basis of native
response, tendencies, maturation, or temporary states of the organism (e.g.,
fatigue or drugs etc.).

NATURE OF LEARNING
A new born child is helpless at birth. He depends upon others. But in due course, he
learns a number of things. He learns to crawl, stand, walk, run, eat, speak, dress etc. The
process of learning continues till death. Even an adult during the course of his daily routine
goes on learning and adding to his experience. Why does a person learn? He learns because
he has to make adjustment in the changing environment. The stimulus from the environment
is there on the one hand. On the other hand, there are innate dispositions – instincts and
emotions. Guided by these dispositions a person goes on learning i.e., constructing and
reconstructing his experience throughout his life, at all its stages. (Shivangi, n.d.)

CHARACTERISTICS OF LEARNING
Learning has its own sets of characteristics and it includes the following according to
Mangal (2015):

1. Learning is a Continuous Process- After birth, the child acquires skill from
experiences obtained from the environment. Hence, leaning goes on throughout
life. Learning can be formal or informal and it may be direct or indirect. When a
learner learns he develop, knowledge, skills, habits, attitudes, and aptitudes.

2. Learning is Change in behavior- The result of the Learning process can be

measured as behavioural changes. This change can be in any form. It can be
desirable or undesirable. But in desirable form, i.e. these changes should occur in
a positive direction. Learning includes all three aspects of human behavior. So, it
includes cognitive, affective and conative aspects of mental process.
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3. Learning is purposive and goal-oriented- Learning is always has a purpose. It is
goal-oriented in the sense that the teacher always has learning objectives in mind
while teaching. If we don’t have any aim and goal, then the process of learning will
not show any effect. Through the process of learning, we can move towards pre-
determined learning objectives. As the learner learn, he/she move towards a pre-
determined goal.

4. Learning is a process of progress and development- Learning can occur in any

direction. Theses directions can be desirable or undesirable. We want to bring the
individual’s development in a desirable direction through learning. We do not
want a child to learn in undesirable directions like stealing or pick-pocketing. So
learning should bring progressive changes in the behavior of the learner.

5. Learning is the Organisation of Experiences- The basis of learning is the

acquisition of new experiences. Behaviours of learners change as a result of new
experiences. New learning experiences evolve as a result of past experiences
acquired by the learner.

6. Learning occurs due to Activity and Environment- Interaction with the

environment is very essential for the learning process. The more children interact
with their environment, the more they learn. The absence of activity and
interaction hampers the quality of learning in the child. These interactions provide
experience to the children. Due to these interactions changes occur in the behavior
of the children.

7. Learning Helps in Achieving Teaching-Learning Objectives- Teaching and

learning situations have different goals, aims, and objectives. Process of learning
helps in achieving the objectives of teaching. With learning, we expect a change in
the behavior of the individuals. This change happens with the development of
knowledge, insight, interests, skills, and attitudes. So, for achieving teaching-
learning objectives, the learning process plays an important role.

8. Learning is the Fundamental process of Life- Without learning the progress of a

person is not possible. It acts as the basis for the progress of society and civilization.
9. Learning is the Relationship between stimulus and Response- Learning is
generally, a relationship between stimulus and response. A person is considered
as a learned-person if he reacts according to the task to be learned. Through
learning, a person learns reactions according to the stimuli associated with the
environment and other aspects of life.
10. Learning is transferable- The learning acquired in one situation is capable of
transfer to some other situation. The knowledge acquired in one situation proves
helpful in acquiring knowledge in other situation. This is known as the transfer of
learning. The learner should be careful not to let previously gained knowledge
interfere in acquiring new knowledge and experiences.
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TYPES OF LEARNING (A Reading Compilation: Construction, Utilization, Evaluation and
Storage of Instructional Materials in the Social Sciences, 2015)

1. Motor learning- Most of our activities in our day-to-days life refer to motor activities.
The individual has to learn them in order to maintain his regular life, for example
walking, running, skating, driving, climbing, etc. All these activities involve the
muscular coordination
2. Verbal learning- This type of learning involves the language we speak, the
communication devices we use. Signs, pictures, symbols, words, figures, sounds, etc,
are the tools used in such activities. We use words for communication.
3. Concept learning- It is the form of learning which requires higher order mental
processes like thinking, reasoning, intelligence, etc. we learn different concepts from
childhood. For example, when we see a dog and attach the term ‘dog’, we learn that
the word dog refers to a particular animal. Concept learning involves two processes,
viz. abstraction and generalisation. This learning is very useful in recognising,
identifying things
4. Discrimination learning- Learning to differentiate between stimuli and showing an
appropriate response to these stimuli is called discrimination learning. Example,
sound horns of different vehicles like bus, car, ambulance, etc.
5. Learning of principles- Individuals learn certain principles related to science,
mathematics, grammar, etc. in order to manage their work effectively. These
principles always show the relationship between two or more concepts. Example:
formulae, laws, associations, correlations, etc.
6. Problem-solving- This is a higher order learning process. This learning requires the
use of cognitive abilities-such as thinking, reasoning, observation, imagination,
generalization, etc. This is very useful to overcome difficult problems encountered by
the people.
7. Attitude learning- Attitude is a predisposition which determines and directs our
behaviour. We develop different attitudes from our childhood about the people,
objects and everything we know. Our behaviour may be positive or negative
depending upon our attitudes. Example: attitudes of nurse towards her profession,
patients, etc.

INSTRUCTION (A Reading Compilation: Construction, Utilization, Evaluation and Storage of

Instructional Materials in the Social Sciences, 2015)
Instruction is vital for education, as it is the transfer of learning from one person to
another. Any time you are given directions or told how to do something you are receiving
instruction. This term also means education, which refers to the teaching and learning of
knowledge, skills and attitudes.
The following are some of the definitions from notable people:
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• “Anything that is done purposely to facilitate learning” (Reigeluth & Carr-Chellman,
2009)
• Smaldino, Lowther, Russell, and Mims (2015) define instruction as “any intentional
effort to stimulate learning by the deliberate arrangement of experiences to help
learners achieve a desirable change in capability”
• The multitude of ways a person learns including all course materials, assignments,
exams, class time, tutoring, etc. (Gagné, Briggs, & Wager, 1992).

For educators, instruction is finding the right words or the smallest things to make
connections with your students to spark learning. It is the deliberate arrangement of activities
(including presentation, practice, feedback, and assessment) designed to facilitate achieving
specific learning outcomes. It is also the purposeful direction of the learning process and is
one of the major teacher class activities (along with planning and management). Professional
educators have developed a variety of models of instruction, each designed to produce
classroom learning.

TECHNOLOGY DEFINED
Technology is the application of science to solve problems. • Technology is the
making, usage and knowledge of tools, machine, techniques, crafts and system of
organization to solve problems. While the term educational technology refers to the use of
technology in educational settings, whether it be elementary and secondary schools, colleges
and universities, corporate training sites, or independent study at home.

IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

There are countless reasons why technology is a key aspect of learning in the schools.
Whether we like it or not, technology is everywhere; and in order for our students to survive
in post-secondary education and the business world, they must know technology.
To narrow it down, we came up with 10 reasons for the importance of technology in
education (Wantulok, 2015):

1. Students demand it. Students are engaging with technology constantly outside of the
classroom. Kids like to be interactive, and learning through technology has now
become a part of their lifestyle.
2. New teachers are demanding it. The technology movement has been implemented in
post-secondary education as well as other professional jobs. For new teachers,
technology is considered a necessity for the learning environment.
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3. Kids are the digital native. Kids know technology better than most adults. It has
become the easiest way they learn, because it is such an integral part of their life.
Engaging with technology in the classroom has not only helped them learn better, but
they also acquire multi-tasking skills. At this day in age, they hardly know how to
learn without it. This knowledge is important, because they would be way behind in
the real world without it.
4. Kids can learn at their own pace. We know from years of experience that kids learn
at their own pace, but sometimes the traditional classroom makes it difficult to do so.
With the integration of technology in education, children have the ability to slow
down and go back over lessons and concepts, and more advanced kids can go ahead.
It also frees up the teacher to help kids on a more one-on-one level.
5. With technology, there are no limitations. Having access to other information outside
of the book gives students many different ways to learn a concept. Teachers can come
up with creative ways to teach their students that keeps them engaged. Technology
has changed the learning environment so that learning is more hands-on. Schools
throughout the nation are diverse in income, and often kids don’t always get the
resources they need. The implementation of technology in schools helps close that
gap.
6. Technology has the ability to enhance relationships between teachers and students.
When teachers effectively integrate technology into subject areas, teachers grow into
roles of adviser, content expert, and coach. Technology helps make teaching and
learning more meaningful and fun. Students are also able to collaborate with their
own classmates through technological applications.
7. Testing has gone online. One protocol that schools don’t have control over, but must
adapt to, is online testing. Testing online is the way of the future, but it has a lot of
advantages. Assessing students’ performance can be done instantly with technology.
Beyond seeing test scores in real-time, teachers can better track and understand
students’ grasp of the subject.
8. Multitude of resources. Computers, tablets, and other forms of technology bring
multiple resources for the teacher that’s not in the book. They not only keep students
engaged with exciting new features and apps, but also have other ways to teach
students material. Every kid learns differently, and technology helps with this gap as
well.
9. Technology keeps kids engaged. The students of this generation are considered
technological learners. They learn best being more interactive, and technology is what
helps them do that. Children often struggle to stay on task or interested, and with
resources to help the teacher, they can better stay focused and learn faster.
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10. Technology is necessary to succeed outside of primary and secondary education.
Whether we like it or not, technology is an essential concept to learn. Because it
changes so quickly, children are better off learning about it sooner. It is a primary part
of every industry, and there is no way around it. These days, technology means more
than just learning basic computing skills. Technology has made itself part of every
aspect of our lives today, and the students who understand it are the ones who succeed
in the business world.
MEDIA
Media are generally defined as the means by which information is conveyed from one
place to another. In the past century, various forms of media have been used to convey
instruction and to support learning. Examples of instructional media include traditional
means of delivering instruction (chalkboards, textbooks, overhead projectors, and teachers),
mass media used for education (newspapers, movies, radio, and television), and the newer
"electronic" instructional media (computers, interactive video, and multimedia systems). All
instruction requires the selection and use of at least one medium to deliver instruction. Many
alternative media and mixtures of media may be chosen for any given learning goal and
group of students. Thus, research questions have compared the learning benefits of various
media and mixes of media for different types of learning goals and students at different ages
and aptitude levels. Thousands of studies have been and continue to be conducted. (Media &
Learning, n.d.)

THE CONVENTIONAL EDUCATIONAL MEDIA

It refers to those devices which have become a normal part of the classroom setting
such as pictures, charts, globes, objects, or models used to transmit messages between people.
It does not use expensive and sophisticated electronic equipment and devices, but rather,
employ various instructional materials that are not expensive.

TYPES OF CONVENTIONAL EDUCATIONAL MEDIA

(The Conventional Educational Media, 2015)
1. Non-projected visual media
Materials that are two-dimensional therefore flat and do not need to be projected on
the screen.
 Flat pictures- opaque pictures of visual images. It is further subdivided into two.
The still pictures and motion pictures. Still pictures are non-moving pictures,
projected or not. It includes slides and transparencies. While motion pictures are
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still pictures that create an illusion of motion both in films and television by
projecting a series of still pictures on the screen or tube in a progression too rapid
for the eye to detect.
 Graphics- In general, the term graphic refers to a design or visual image
displayed on a variety of surfaces, including canvas, paper, walls, signs, or a
computer monitor. They are created for entertainment, branding, or providing
information. It includes graphs, charts, diagrams, posters, cartoons and comic
strips, maps and globes.
2. Three-dimensional instructional media
It displays an additional quality that appeals to the sense of touch – that is, a tactual
quality. Their most important characteristic is their idea that they are to be handled
by students to further assist them in formulating more legitimate concepts about
things.

 Specimens - A part or aspect of some item that is typical sample of the character
of others in its same class or group. Specimens enable us to learn many things
that would otherwise be unobtainable.
 Objects- Are concrete materials such as plants, animals, tools, used in providing
direct experience. May also include artifacts displayed in a museum or objects
displayed in exhibits.
 Models- A “reproduction of a real thing in a small scale, large scale or exact size
but made of synthetic materials. It is a substitute for a real thing which may or
may not be operational.” (Brown, et al 1969) These are excellent for teaching
concepts about things that are three-dimensional and concrete in nature. They
can be made to show interior views of objects, and they can be simplified to any
extent desired in order that the basic concept represented may be communicated
most adequately.
 Mock-up - A mock-up is an arrangement of a real device or associated devices,
displayed in a such way that representation of reality is created. The mock-up
may be simplified in order to emphasize certain features. It may be an
economical reproduction of a complicated or costly device, to be observed for
learning purposes. Usually, it is a prepared substitute for a real thing; sometimes
it is a giant enlargement. (Brown, 1969) It is also considered as a special model
where the parts of a model are singled out, heightened and magnified in order
to focus on the part or process under study.
 Diorama - The term Diorama is of Greek origin which means “to see through”.
Diorama is a three-dimensional representation of events, ideas or concepts
against a scenic background. It is also known as a meaningful exhibit in boxes
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or cases, which are portable.It is
a miniature scene in three-
dimensional treatment that is
meant to replicate reality and
cause students to think
creatively and aesthetically.
 Puppets- Puppets are artificial
figures whose movements are
controlled by a person. Puppets
are moved by hand or by strings,
wires, or rods. Puppet figures are made to represent a person, animal, plant, or
an object. A puppet can become the medium through which the children express
themselves, often in role playing fashion. Puppets can assist the child in
assuming the role of the character that he is portraying

3. Chalkboards
The chalkboard is a flat, vertical writing surface on which anything can be inscribed
by means of a piece of chalk. The device is generally used for educational purposes,
but it can also be found in the workplace, the home, and restaurants. While
chalkboards can be manufactured from a variety of materials, porcelain enamel is the
most common material used in today's chalkboard.

THE “NEWER” EDUCATIONAL MEDIA

From the traditional 3 Rs, the advent of Information Technology has fostered information
literacy, while the advent of mass communications introduced media literacy. With the
advent of Information and Communication Technology, digital technology is used as a term
for clusters of skills comprising ICT or digital literacies. Digital literacies refer to reading and
writing, using electronic extension – reading through monitor screen and Internet surfing
and writing through texting, keyboarding, emailing, blogging, photo-video postings. (A
Reading Compilation: Construction, Utilization, Evaluation and Storage of Instructional Materials
in the Social Sciences, 2015)

 Computer in the Classroom - Having a computer in the classroom is an asset to any

teacher. With a computer in the classroom, teachers are able to demonstrate a new
lesson, present new material, illustrate how to use new programs, and show new
websites.
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 Class Website - An easy way to display your

student's work is to create a web page designed
for your class. Once a web page is designed,
teachers can post homework assignments, student
work, famous quotes, trivia games, and so much
more. In today's society, children know how to use
the computer and navigate their way through a
website, so why not give them one where they can be a published author.

 Class Blog - Blogs allow for students to maintain a running dialogue, such as journals,
thoughts, ideas, and assignments that also provide for student comment and
reflection. Blogs allow the student to
express their knowledge of the
information learned in a way that
they like.

 Class Wiki - Wikis are more group

focused to allow multiple members of
the group to edit a single document
and create a truly collaborative and
carefully edited finished product.

 Wireless Classroom Microphone -

Noisy classrooms are a daily
occurrence, and with the help of
microphones, students are able to hear
their teachers more clearly. Children
learn better when they hear the teacher
clearly. The benefit for teachers is that
they no longer lose their voices at the
end of the day.

 Classroom Response System - Clickers allow interaction or student response which

creates interactivity between the teacher and
her students.

 Interactive Whiteboard - An interactive

whiteboard (IWB), is a
large interactive display that connects to a
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computer. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where
users control the computer using a pen, finger, stylus, or other device.
These enhance the experience in the classroom by showing anything that can
be on a computer screen. This not only aids in visual learning, but it is interactive so
the students can draw, write, or manipulate images on the interactive whiteboard.

 Digital video-on-demand - Replacement of hard copy videos (DVD, VHS) with

digital video accessed from a central server Digital video eliminates the need for in-
classroom hardware (players) and allows teachers and students to access video clips
immediately by not utilizing the public Internet.

 Educational Electronic Game - It is

an educational software which is
primarily about entertainment, but
tends to educate as well and sells
itself partly under the educational
umbrella. These are games which
were originally developed for adults
or older children and which have
potential learning implications. For
the most part, these games
provide simulations of different kinds of human activities, allowing players to explore
a variety of social, historical and economic processes.

 Podcast - Podcasting is a
relatively new invention that
allows anybody to publish files
to the Internet where
individuals can subscribe and
receive new files from people by
a subscription. It enables
teachers to reach students
through a medium that is both
"cool" and a part of their daily
lives. For a technology that only
requires a computer, microphone and internet connection, podcasting has the capacity
of advancing a student’s education beyond the classroom.
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 WebQuest - WebQuests are

student-centered, web-based
curricular units that are
interactive and use Internet
resources. The purpose of a
webQuest is to
use information on the web to
support the instruction taught
in the classroom. A webQuest
consists of an introduction, a
task (or final project that
students complete at the end of
the WebQuest), processes (or
instructional activities), web-
based resources, evaluation of learning, reflection about learning, and a conclusion.

 Virtual Field Trip - It is a website

that allows the students to
experience places, ideas, or
objects beyond the constraints of
the classroom. It is an inter-
related collection of images,
supporting text and/or other
media, delivered electronically
via the World Wide Web, in a
format that can be professionally
presented to relate the essence of
a visit to a time or place.

Assessment No. 1

Directions: Explain the following concepts and terms concisely. Provide also
concrete examples in your answer. 3 points will be given per answer.

1. Learning 5. Educational Media 9. Conventional Media

2. Media 6. Instructional technology 10. Newer media
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3. Instruction 7. Technology integration
4. Technology 8. Educational Technology

Assessment No. 2

Directions: Create a graphic presentation that shows the relationship of the four (4)
major concepts discussed in this unit (learning, media, instruction, & technology).
Your presentation should include each of its definition and how these concepts
affect/relate to each other.

You will be graded based on the following criteria:

Content- 50%
Organization & coherence of thoughts- 35%
Overall presentation- 15%

Assessment No. 3
Directions: Reflect on your own experiences using technology in the classroom, think about
how the learning is enhanced or value is added to the learning process through the
technology tools. Look for scaffolds and supports for the learning provided by the
technology, and notice if there’s any differentiation of instruction or personalization that’s
happening through the technology.
You will be graded based on the following criteria:

Use of factual evidence and information– 35% Depth of reflection- 35%

Organization and Coherence of thought– 20% Cleanliness and neatness– 10%

1.3 References
Mangal, S. (2015). Learning and Teaching. Bharat Book House.

Media and Learning (n.d.) Retrieved January 2021, from:

https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2211/Media-Learning.html

Shivangi, Z (n.d.). Learning: Nature, Characteristics and Theories. Retrieved January 2021,

from: https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/learning/learning-theory/learning-
nature-characteristics-and-theories-psychology/2493
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Wantulok. (2015). How Important is Technology in Education? Retrieved January 2021, from:

https://marketing.pinecc.com/blog/the-importance-of-technology-in-education-
pine-coves-top-10-reasons

The Conventional Educational Media. (2015). Retrieved January 2021, from:

https://prezi.com/yhzckwc3ce88/the-conventional-educational-media/?fallback=1

1.4 Acknowledgment
The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module were taken
from the references cited above