Improving Human Learning and Performance at Indiana University

Abstract

Technology statement of purpose is, "We improve human learning and performance in diverse contexts." Our focus on learning and performance improvement includes K-12 schools, higher education, business, industry, the government, military, and non-profit organizations. This article gives an overview of the IST's background and history, key program elements (academic degree programs and leadership development programs), faculty's research and development activities, diverse students demographics and esteemed alumni (academics and practitioners), and future directions. We have led the instructional technology field through our commitment to remain a quality and forward-thinking program. INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATIONFounded in 1820, Indiana University (IU) will celebrate its bicentennial in 2020. IU Bloomington (IUB) is the "flagship of IU's eight campuses statewide and is committed to full diversity, academic freedom, and meeting the changing educational and research needs of the state, the nation, and the world" (Indiana University, 2015). The Bloomington campus ( Figure 1) enrolls approximately 48,500 students taught by 3,050 faculty and offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in both residential and online formats (Indiana University, 2015). Program IdentityInstructional Systems Technology (IST), housed as an independent department within the School of Education on the IUB campus, is one of the first programs of its kind established in the United States and is said to be well regarded throughout the world (Figure 2).The IST statement of purpose covering all our programs is, "We improve human learning and performance in diverse contexts." Our focus on learning and performance improvement includes K-12 schools, higher education, business, industry, government, military, and nonprofit organizations.The word technology in our name encompasses methods such as analysis, design, development, and evaluation of products, processes, systems, methods, and theories as well as designed systems for learning themselves-not simply digital and analog hardware and software. IST takes a holistic look at how to improve teaching and learning through the study and design of learning environments and interventions for performance. Our collective efforts, combined with the experiences of our faculty, enable us to give students the best possible preparation for work in the field of instructional technology and beyond. IST faculty, in collaboration with students in their research groups and classroom projects, analyze learning environments, evaluate the effectiveness of learning and performance in organizations, and study the technologies that can make learning and performance more effective and powerful and how they may do so.