A Learning Technology Curriculum: The First Step

Abstract

The concepts of learning technology are based on several decades of research and demonstration. A formal curriculum to train people to enter this field, however, does not exist. To initiate the development of such a course of study a conference was held at American University on March 11 and 12, 1975. This meeting, sponsored by American University and the Society for Applied Learning Technology, brought together a group of experts in this field with experience in both theoretical concepts and general applications. Topics covered included the following: performance architecture; instructional delivery methods and management; learning systems design; and, the cost and economics of various approaches to learning technology. Most concepts were illustrated with a number of current applications. As a result of the meeting it was recommended that a learning technology curriculum be specified, broadly consisting of the following categories: 1) a section on performance architecture or systems design, 2) a grouping devoted to instructional delivery methods, 3) a treatment of costs and economics, and 4) a series of case studies for training in the problem solving process.