Interdisciplinary nature of instructional technology makes it possible to delve into complex real-life problems from various different perspectives. This study investigates an intimate relationship between instructional technology and design inquiry, ...
Interdisciplinary nature of instructional technology makes it possible to delve into complex real-life problems from various different perspectives. This study investigates an intimate relationship between instructional technology and design inquiry, which has various theoretical and methodological effects on establishing the identity of a discipline as Instructional Technology. In order to identify idiosyncratic features of design inquiry, the study begins with comparing two different notions: CD knowledge as information and knowledge as design @ knowing-that and know-how. Then, the study emphasizes that design activity has a feature of synchronous parallel processes in doing analysis-synthesis-evaluation action rather than repetitive sequential processes. Design activities require that designers should have creative synthesis capability because most design activities take place in the context of ill-structured and/or ill-defined problem situations. Considering that so much of design activity is tased on visual thinking, some of the most effective design strategies are related to visual representations. They include that use of similes, such as metaphor and analogy, and more generally heavy reliance on interaction with visual displays, both external and internal, in the form of imagery. As an important problem-solving strategy in the field of instructional technology, Neats vs. Scruffies methodology is compared with systematic vs. systemic methodology. The study concludes that instructional technologists need to effort to creatively integrate design thinking into scienre thinking. Putting``more emphasis on Scruffies`` ways of problem-solving, this study suggests that (1) instructional technologists need to have more chances of facing various real-life problem situations in order to enhance streetwise practicality; (2) instructional technologists make an effort to keep balance between neats`` and scruffies`` approaches. Therefore, they should devout themselves to glean various knowledge and information.