The History of Instructional Technology
at Wayne State University

Wayne State University has been a pioneer in what has become the field of Instructional Technology. The history of our program in many ways mirrors the development of the IT discipline itself.

Origins

A Master's concentration in “Audio-Visual Education” was offered at the WSU College of Education beginning in 1948. Five two-hour courses were offered; eight hours were required to establish a concentration in the 24-hour Master's degree. In 1953, the AV concentration became available in the Ed.D. program as well. Associate Professor Arthur Stenius, who had been hired in 1945, headed the program. At the time, the College of Education was located in two homes on Second Avenue (right).

examining a filmstrip A materials production sequence was added in 1950. Its two original courses (“Production of Instructional Materials” and “Practicum in Production of Audio-Visual Instructional Materials”) continue to this day as IT 5120, “Producing Technology-Based Instructional Materials,” and IT 8130, “Individual Projects in Instructional Technology.” Filmstrips were playing a major role (left); however, a promising new technology appeared in the curriculum in 1952, with the course “Television as a Teaching Tool.”

Stenius left in 1956, and was replaced by J. James MacPherson, who had previously the Executive Secretary of the National Education Association's Department of Audio-Visual Instruction (the predecessor of AECT). During the next four years, MacPherson modernized course designs and introduced the management foundations of the field into the curriculum.

1960 brought a number of changes. MacPherson left and was replaced by Robert Kilbourn. Audiovisual Education became a separate department. A Ph.D. was offered for the first time. And the College of Education moved into its new (and current) home, a four-story building designed by Minoru Yamasaki that included audio and video production studios. Yet the biggest change was still to come.

The Change to Instructional Technology

In 1962, Kilbourn received approval to change Audiovisual Education into the Department of Instructional Technology; the change would take effect with the 1963-64 academic year. Knirk and Gustafson (1986) indicate that this change was the first of its kind. (Some credit this distinction to the University of Southern California and their program led by Jim Finn. However, the WSU program's name change was approved six months earlier to USC's.)

This was more than just a name change. The term “Instructional Technology” connoted moving beyond A/V training to a profession with a firm intellectual foundation, producing materials that would at least occasionally be used without the presence of a teacher. The science of instruction was being developed at this same time.

These new ideas were reflected in the 1963 curriculum, which included courses such as:

Technology in Education
Instructional Technology Workshop
Technology and Instructional Design I and II
Practicum - Instructional Technology
Individual Projects in Instructional Technology

Robert Kilbourn's sudden death in 1965 left the newly hired John Childs to run the department that consisted of himself and Fred Knirk, who was completing his doctorate. Over the next four years, additional full-time faculty was hired, and an enhanced IT program “predicated upon the improvement of instruction through the study of the teaching/learning process” was introduced.

The 1970s

The 1970s were an important decade for the IT field. Dick and Carey published their first edition of The Systematic Design of Instruction, while business and industrial training environments provided a spurt of employment opportunities.

The Wayne State IT curriculum was also enhanced:

The instructional design and evaluation emphases were expanded.
Courses expanding the field's management foundations were added; some tied to materials design projects, others to the management and administration of resources; and still others that highlighted the role of teacher as a manager of instruction, rather than a deliverer.
Other new courses continued the technology foundations. The first computer-oriented course was introduced in 1972. Five years later, the first “multi-media” course appeared; significantly, the course description referred to its use in industry, which was taking a more prominent position in the field.

Commodore PET and Apple computers from the late '70s Research and development also played an important role, peaking with a 1979 project funded by Control Data Corporation to create individualized, computer-based instruction using the Plato system. The department also collaborated with units throughout the University on various curriculum development projects.

As part of a 1974 reorganization of the College of Education, IT moved into the Division of Educational Leadership, which was subsequently changed to its current name, the Division of Administrative and Organizational Studies.

The 1980s

IT graduates Alvin Edelson and Rita Richey transferred into the department in 1980 and 1981, respectively. Richey assumed the position of program coordinator from John Childs in 1987.

Despite the economic turmoil of the late 1970s and early '80s, and the general decline in education enrollment at colleges throughout the country, WSU IT enrollment continued to grow. By the end of the decade, it became clear that further enhancements to the curriculum were dependent upon upgrades to the IT facilities.

The 1990s

The 1990s were another period of significant change for the department. Necessary facility upgrades were completed, the curriculum was restructured, and the staff was enlarged.

Two dedicated classrooms were established; one for general lecture and discussion, and a second for general media and video instruction. Both were equipped for computer-based delivery of instruction. Four media-based labs were also available:

A 25-station multimedia computing lab
A distance education room designed to facilitate two-way interactive video
A video production facility and editing suite
A media production lab housed within the College Curriculum Services Center (CSC)

A number of curriculum enhancements were also made during the 1990s:

The Master's Degree and Educational Specialist Certificate were restructured to meet the specific demands of major practitioner groups
Doctoral programs were upgraded to provide more in-depth examinations of IT theory and skills while making clear distinctions between Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs
Programs for trainers were restructured to reflect a performance improvement orientation
The range of technology-based instruction was expanded to include software programs such as ToolBook® and Authorware®, as well as the World Wide Web
Instructional video, distance learning and message design courses were added

In addition, criteria for program admissions and doctoral program procedures were upgraded.
Research and development continued with Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Corp., Davis Tool & Manufacturing, the Detroit Public Schools. Other efforts funded by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other private and public organizations.

The Master's Project Poster Session and Outstanding Student Awards were started in order to recognize the work of IT students. And an IT newsletter and annual Spring Reception were started to strengthen ties with alumni.

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