by Don Ely
March 2004
Otto Benavides wins 2003 Distinguished Service Award
Q1. What attracted you to the field of educational technology?
My early experience with photography and filming was my entry way into technology.
As a graduate student at Northeast Louisiana University(now The University of Louisiana at Monroe), I received an
assistantship to work in the Instructional Media Center. At the center, I had the opportunity to learn about the
use of media in instruction and to teach education students how to use Audiovisual equipment. My photographic,
filming and darkroom skills helped me with my assistantship and graduate instructional media program. I was very
interested in the instructional design concepts and in the integration of mediated materials in instruction. I
thought that technology would be a tremendous asset in the instructional process if it were properly integrated
an applied as a tool. From the very early experiences I had with technology I concentrated on its application
in the teaching/learning process. That attracted me the most to the field.
Q2. Who are the persons (in the profession) who influenced you the most?
The person who inspired me the most in the application of mediated materials in instruction
and who served as a role model was Dr. Bill Perry. As his graduate assistant I learned many applications from him. He also
gave me many opportunities to apply what I learned in the graduate program by allowing me to work in the field. He
facilitated my work with a private local corporation in Monroe, Louisiana where I developed instructional materials
using technology. Without Dr. Perry's motivation and example I would have note become as deeply involved with technology
as I have.
Q3. What major changes have you noticed in the International Council over the years you
have been involved?
I have found the International Division to be a very warm and welcoming organization within
AECT. I have found friends and supporters in the Division. During the years I have been an IC member I have seen it continue
its efforts to be more inclusive and representative of an international membership. Its leadership has been widely international.
Q4. In your opinion, are the trends in Latin America (or Colombia, if you prefer) about the
same or somewhat different that North America?
Thanks to rapidly expanding communications, the world has certainly became a global village.
Although resources in Latin American countries are not as plentiful as those of the United States, I see similar paths
and trends in the development and application of technology. While there is some original thinking in regard to the use
of technology in Latin America, there is a tendency to follow findings and apply methods used in the United States.
American technology authors and research find their way through the Internet and various publications to practitioners and
researchers in the field in those countries. Therefore, trends tend to be similar in both continents.
Q5. What advice would you give to AECT colleagues who want to become active in the
international arena of educational technology?
I would say that they need to share their knowledge and expertise through presentations at
international conferences and gatherings. They would also need to make themselves available to other countries through
exchanges an consultation.
