Innovations in Instructional Technology

Book excerpt: M. David Merrill has been active in the field of instructional technology for almost 40 years. His contributions range from basic instructional principles and instructional design theory to development and implementation of learning environments. Innovations in Instructional Technology is a collection of original essays written by leading scholars and practitioners who have worked with and been inspired by Professor Merrill. The chapters in this book represent a sampling of key innovations in the instructional technology field and include knowledge of how people learn, how people solve problems, how designers conceptualize learning spaces, how teachers implement learning activities, and how evaluators assess outcomes. This volume is divided into five basic areas of research in instructional technology, mirroring the diverse contributions of Dr. Merrill's work: *four chapters on learning objects and the notion of reusable components; *three chapters that discuss fundamental aspects of learning and the design of instruction; *three chapters that address innovations in the area of assessment, evaluation, and model validation; *three chapters that concern theories of learning and instruction; and *three chapters on instructional design practice. The book concludes with a chapter outlining Dr. Merrill's responses to challenges, comments, and questions on the future of the field--ranging from the notion of initial passions with regard to instructional technology to connections between theory and practice to questions of conscience--from an expert panel comprised of many of the contributors to the book. As Dave Merrill's work will continue to be required reading for students of instructional technology, Innovations in Instructional Technology is a book that will appeal to students, researchers, and practitioners in the field.