Instructional Technology, Evaluation of

Instructional technology (IT) is a broad term that covers traditional media, computer-based training, games and simulations, multimedia, distance education, electronic performance support systems, and virtual reality. IT can be found as both hardware and software in schools, businesses, corporate training departments, and even on the Web. However, the majority of the evaluation work focused on IT over the last decade takes place in educational settings. Why? A $7 billion annual investment in educational technology has left policy makers and administrators fielding questions from the public about the value, return on investment, and conditions of optimal use of school-based instructional technology.