Eight Trends Affecting the Field of Instructional Design and Technology: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

In recent years, the field of instructional design and technology (IDT) has been greatly impacted by a wide variety of trends in the field of education, both in terms of technological tools that are available for educational and instructional purposes, as well as innovative approaches to instruction and learning. The primary purposes of this chapter are (a) to identify some of the major trends that have affected the field over the past decade, as evidenced by data indicating the extent to which those innovations have been employed in a wide variety of settings, including K–12 schools, higher education institutions, and business organizations; and (b) to discuss some of the opportunities and/or challenges each of these trends presents for IDT professionals.