Why Theory is Important When Designing a Course
Theories in any field are the foundation for application. We need to understand the basics of an idea before we can truly understand why we do something. A theory is the culmination of work based on a hypothesis. The traditional definition of a theory is the scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena (Anonymous, (n.d.).
Simply speaking, a theory is something we use to explain any act, behavior, or issue. The evolution from a hypothesis to a theory is the addition of supporting data. The use of this data allows us to know what works and what does not work, using theory in the application of techniques provides a foundation for proper use.
The Use of Theory in Instructional Design
The theory behind instructional design is based on the works in educational psychology and how we learn. Instructional designers need to have a solid foundation as to why things work and be able to explain why we implement certain techniques or methods. As an instructor in Sociology, much of our work is based in theory and how to apply that theory to real life examples or scenarios. We need to be able to explain why something works the way it does, as well as being able to show how the application of said theory is useful. A well rounded knowledge of multiple models of learning allows designers to choose what methods will work best for the desired outcomes.
After Thoughts
After reading the required chapters, I was surprised as how far back the work in instructional design had gone. Going back as far as the early 1900's, work was being done on the science of learning (Brown and Green, 2016). It is intertwined with other disciplines, such as communication and cognitive psychology, and looks to improve methods of developing, delivering, and assessing instructional practices through advancements in each these other disciplines. Many models have been developed to assist in the development of learning which allows for multiple means of achieving the same goal - student success. Finally, I have gained a little better understanding of the various amounts of methods, or models, used in Instructional Design and look forward to gaining more knowledge in the future.
Works Referenced:
Anonymous. (n.d.). Theory definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theory
Brown, A. H., & Green, T. D. (2016). The Essentials of Instructional Desing. Routledge.
Comments