ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents the existence of two professional communities the sciences of learning, and instructional design and technology that are largely aimed at similar goals and that conduct related research. It describes about the barriers that apparently separate the two communities are somewhat arbitrary and inhibit constructive articulation and the progressive development of the sciences of learning and instruction. The bridges that can be constructed to promote dialogue and collaboration includes interpersonal involvement, sharing research tools and instruments, joint publications, framing or establishing research projects in a way that requires the participation of both communities, and simple recognition that each professional community has much to offer that can serve to improve learning, teaching, and instruction. The book discusses the challenges to collaboration which will be addressed by researchers in both communities.
