This week’s assignment was to analyze various instructional technology associations. We were to identify the specific focus of the organization and its conferences & publications, its mission, the audience it serves; and the needs/problems it addresses. We were to explore AECT, ISTE, AACE, and ISLS. In addition to these four associations, I also explored SITE and USDLA.
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
Specific Focus of the Organization, Conferences, & Publications
AECT focuses on the study, planning, application, and production of communications media for instruction. The association caters to those actively involved in the designing of instruction and a systematic approach to learning.
The organization has several divisions for members to focus on specific areas. The following are the major divisions of AECT: Design and Development; Distance Learning; Graduate Student Assembly; International; Multimedia Production; Research and Theory; School Media and Technology; School Media and Technology; Systemic Change; Teacher Education; and Training and Performance.
The association produces two bimonthly journals, Educational Technology Research and Development and TechTrends.
The major conference of AECT is the AECT International Convention. The 2012 theme for the convention is “Learning in the Age of Globalization.”
Mission that the Organization Fulfills
The organization’s mission is to provide the opportunity for individuals to exchange and disseminate ideas related to the improvement of instruction.
Who the Organization Serves
The association serves educators from colleges and universities; in the Armed Forces and industry; in museums, libraries, and hospitals; and others whose activities are directed toward improving instruction through technology. The association is geared towards those actively involved in the designing of instruction and a systematic approach to learning.
Needs/Problems the Organization Addresses
AECT ‘s various committees and special interest/working groups provide an opportunity for members to participate in activities, research, practice, and trends in specific fields of interest. All AECT members strive for the improvement of instruction.
My Reflection of the Organization
I am currently a member of AECT and plan to attend the 2012 AECT International Convention. I will present a presentation titled “StudentPerspectives on an Online Anthropology Course” with two other instructional design assistants from Engineering-LAS Online Learning. I am very excited to take advantage of this opportunity, and plan to make the most of my experience in Louisville, Kentucky.
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
Specific Focus of the Organization, Conferences, & Publications
ISTE serves educators and education leaders engaged in improving learning and teaching by advancing the effective use of technology in PK–12 and teacher education.
ISTE has two primary conferences: ISTE’s Annual Conference and Exposition and the ISTE Leadership Forum.
Publications include Learning & Leading with Technology (L&L), The Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education (JDLTE), The Journal for Computing Teachers (JCT), and The Journal of Research on Technology in Education (JRTE). ISTE also provides the opportunity for members to search through a database of books written by experienced educators.
Mission that the Organization Fulfills
ISTE’s main goal is to provide an opportunity for educators to connect with peers, to gather in a variety of forums to share the challenges and excitement of teaching, and to be part of a community that leads the transformation of education.
Who the Organization Serves
ISTE serves educators and education leaders in PK-12.
Needs/Problems the Organization Addresses
ISTE explores how to improve learning and teaching by advancing the effective use of technology in PK–12 and teacher education.
My Reflection of the Organization
Although my career explores learning in higher education, more specifically distance learning, I often refer to ISTE publications when conducting research. As I transition from graduate school to the workforce, I will most likely take less advantage of ISTE’s publications and organization in general, and more advantage of organizations geared towards higher education as an audience.
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
Specific Focus of the Organization, Conferences, & Publications
AACE appears to be a very broad organization focused on information technology education and e-learning.
AACE supports five conferences: EdMedia, E-Learn, Global Learn, Global TIME, and SITE. Each of these conferences has a different target audience and a more specific focus.
EdMedia is an international conference focused on educational media and technology. The conference’s goal is to support the discussion and exchange of information on the research, development, and applications on all topics related to multimedia, hypermedia and telecommunications/distance education.
E-Learn is an international conference on e-learning in corporate, government, healthcare, and higher education. This annual conference serves as a multi-disciplinary forum for the exchange of information on research, development, and applications of all topics related to e-Learning in the corporate, government, healthcare, and higher education sectors.
Global Learn is an international, online conference. It has nine major themes: Advanced Technologies for Learning and Teaching; Assessment and Research; Educational Reform, Policy, and Innovation; Evaluation and Quality Improvement Advances; Global Networks, Partnerships, and Exchanges; Innovative Approaches to Learning and Learning Environments; Open Education; Technologies for Socially Responsive Learning; and Virtual and Distance Education.
Global TIME is an international, online conference on technology, innovation, media, and education. The themes for this conference are very similar to Global Learn.
SITE stands for the Society of Information Technology and Teacher Education. It is a society of AACE. SITE promotes the development and dissemination of theoretical knowledge, conceptual research, and professional practice knowledge. SITE holds an annual conference and provides books, collaborative projects with other organizations, and the Journal of Technology and Teacher Education to its members. I will provide a more thorough exploration of SITE as an organization below.
Mission that the Organization Fulfills
The overall goal of AACE is to provide opportunities for individuals to discuss and explore information technology education and e-learning.
Who the Organization Serves
AACE is catered to individuals in the information technology education and e-learning community. The various conferences are catered to more specific audiences, providing support for a wide range of individuals.
Needs/Problems the Organization Addresses
AACE is a broad organization that provides more specific conferences and publications catered to different needs and problems, as well as audiences.
My Reflection of the Organization
I am a member of AACE. I had become a member without realizing the breadth of knowledge and audiences that the organization is catered to. I’ve made extensive use of the Education and Information Technology Digital Library for research purposes in my graduate studies. AACE is definitely an organization that I will continue to be a part of. In the future, I see myself taking advantage of the two international, online conferences for professional development after graduation.
Society of Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE)
Specific Focus of the Organization, Conferences, & Publications
SITE is a society of AACE. SITE promotes the development and dissemination of theoretical knowledge, conceptual research, and professional practice knowledge geared towards improving education through technology. SITE holds an annual conference and provides books and collaborative projects with other organizations to its members.
SITE has two publications: The Journal of Technology and Teacher Education (JTATE) and Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education (CITE).
SITE also has an international annual conference.
Mission that the Organization Fulfills
SITE promotes the development and dissemination of theoretical knowledge, conceptual research, and professional practice knowledge geared towards improving education through technology.
Who the Organization Serves
SITE is catered towards teacher educators in ALL disciplines, computer technology coordinators, K-12 administrators, teachers, curriculum developers, principals, and all individuals interested in improving education through technology.
Needs/Problems the Organization Addresses
SITE strives to improve education through technology by focusing on information technology and teacher education.
My Reflection of the Organization
SITE is a conference that I hope to attend in the near future. Several individuals in my office at ELO have discussed submitting a proposal to the conference—I’m hoping that my new career will enable me to attend within the next few years. As a member of AACE, I have access to many of the benefits that SITE members experience (EdItLibrary, job boards, etc.).
International Society of Learning Sciences (ISLS)
Specific Focus of the Organization, Conferences, & Publications
The International Society of the Learning Sciences is a professional society dedicated to the interdisciplinary empirical investigation of learning as it exists in real-world settings and how learning may be facilitated both with and without technology.
ISLS sponsors Two journals—the Journal of the Learning Sciences (JLS) and the International Journal of Computer Support for Collaborative Learning (IJCSCL).
ISLS also supports two conference series—the International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS) and the International Conference on Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL).
Mission that the Organization Fulfills
ISLS is devoted to expanding the impacts and relevancies of the field and its exciting potentials for transforming the future of learning and collaboration. It provides venues for dialogue on all aspects of computer-supported collaborative learning and the learning sciences through conferences, publications, web sites, social networking sites, committees and other member services.
Who the Organization Serves
ISLS is catered towards members from cognitive science, educational psychology, computer science, anthropology, sociology, information sciences, neurosciences, education, design studies, instructional design, and other fields. The society includes members from six continents and provides unprecedented opportunities for collegial interaction across national boundaries in this field.
Needs/Problems the Organization Addresses
The organization addresses needs and problems relating to learning and education, covering a wide variety of topics.
My Reflection of the Organization
I had never heard of ISLS prior to this assignment. In my opinion, this organization focuses more on the theoretical than the practical, which is not the best fit for me. However, I did see some topics that sparked my interest, and the key to good practice is a strong foundation of theoretical knowledge.
United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
Specific Focus of the Organization, Conferences, & Publications
USDLA focuses on distance learning research, development and praxis across the complete arena of education, training and communications.
USDLA hosts an annual national conference, as well as the International Forum for Women in E-Learning (IFWE), an international conference geared towards recognizing the role of women leaders.
USDLA also provides a quarterly journal to its members titled Distance Learning that focuses on current issues and trends in the field, with special consideration given to practical applications of distance learning.
Mission that the Organization Fulfills
USDLA’s mission: USDLA through its mission of… supporting the development and application of distance learning… focuses on all legislation impacting the Distance learning community and its varied constituencies.
Who the Organization Serves
USDLA serves communities consisting of pre K-12, higher education, continuing education, corporate training, military and government training, home schooling and telemedicine. In addition USDLA is also focused on national and international technology-based distance learning.
Needs/Problems the Organization Addresses
The organization is designed to address problems related to effective distance teaching and learning.
My Reflection of the Organization
I am currently a member of USDLA. In the past, I have submitted a proposal to the USDLA conference (although it wasn’t selected) and applied for a USDLA Distance Learning Award for one of the online courses I’ve helped develop. USDLA provides many resources catered more towards distance learning in higher education, making it a great fit for my professional and academic interests.