Just what is Instructional Technology

I believe that the concept instructional technology is any equipment that is used to enhance the day to day delivery of knowledge to students. This encompasses many of the web sites that are utilized on the world wide web, such as www.readwritethink.org which is used in many of my writing lessons and www.socialstudiesforkids.com which gives another source for various history lessons as well as current events topics. These websites are actually used by the students on individual computers.
Another component of instructional technology is used behind the scene while teaching. This is being able to use various software tools such as gradebook, Discovery streaming education and even Outlook to contact parents via email.
The last piece of instructional technology deals with the hardware or the physical devices. One should be able to set up items found in a typical classroom, from the CPU and monitor to a Smartboard, digital camera or even scanner. Together the hardware and software come together to envelope the idea of instructional technology.