Contributed by the award winners
May 2004
1. What attracted you both to
Educational Technology field?
Abbas: My technical background in
computer programming and extreme interest
in adult learning via advanced technologies to reach learners at a
distance
led me in the field of Educational Technology, which has been my joy
since
entering the field.
Amy: I saw it as a way to merge my
longtime interests in the arts and
communication, with educational philosophy and practice.
2. Why did you both join AECT; why
the Int'l Division?
Abbas: AECT is an imperative Ed. Tech
organization that allows its members
to explore the latest educational research in technology and human
learning
approaches. I joined the International Division (ID) because of
my
extreme interest in (1) fairness of educational opportunities in our
increasingly
interconnected world, (2) ID’s educational encouragement across
national
and cultural lines, and (3) the kinds of members who are involved in
this
division. ID members welcomed me with open hearts and provided me with
any opportunity I sought since I joined them in 1999.
Amy: AECT is an obvious professional
membership choice for instructional
technologists working in a variety of settings. The international
division
was attractive because it supports interactions and relationships among
scholars and professionals from different cultures and nationalities,
with
a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I enjoy interacting with
people
from different countries and cultures, and often am delighted that so
many
different perspectives, experiences, and understandings can emerge
during
interactions, while, simultaneously, basic “humane”ness and goodwill
can
reveal commonalities and connections that are stronger than the
differences.
3. What trends have you seen in
educational technology in other countries
as different from the US?
Abbas: One trend is the extreme, yet
cautious, interest for communication
technology in developing countries -- a conscious acceptance of
educational
technology. Will this trend strengthen societies, or bring back
neo-colonial
dependencies?
Amy: In some less wealthy
nations, where technological tools are
not easily acquired, there is less of a focus on the technological
equipment
often associated with instructional technology, and more emphasis on
the
processes and content of learning. Having to make do with older or
so-called
“lower” technologies keeps the emphasis on solving existing
instructional
problems as the starting point. In contrast, wealthier western
instructional
technologists sometimes become so enamoured with high-tech “solutions”
that they may start with the solution and look for instructional
problems
that might be solved by it, rather than starting with the instructional
problem itself. We can learn a lot from other cultures’ “low-tech” and
“no-tech” approaches to learning and instruction.
4. What changes do you predict, or
would you like to see, in the
International Division of AECT?
Abbas: I predict a growth in ID
membership because of (1) the increasing
number of minority professionals in IT, (2) cultural challenges of Ed.
Technology worldwide, and (3) an increased interests in the new global
community concept by business professionals. In terms of “what I
would like to see” in ID, I encourage ID board members to move away
from
application of classical theories of organization, particularly
behavioral,
to human relations theories that encourage cultural, social, and
critical
approaches to management (and communicational) behaviors.
Amy: Facilitating a wider spread
understanding of the value and need
for the division and for the diversity of ideas, knowledge,
experiences,
and opportunities it seeks to facilitate. We are fortunate to have
International
Division members who are not only very strong advocates for
international
instructional technologists and their challenges, but who balance
advocacy
with humanity and respect.
5. What advice can you give to
students?
Abbas: Become involved in the division
as soon as possible. Do not wait
to be nominated, nominate yourself.
Amy: Communicate and interact with
people who can challenge you and
your ideas. Understand that “knowledge” and “expertise” are evolving
things.
Don’t lock yourself into a rigid position -- allow yourself and
your
understandings to grow and change.
6. What trends do you see for the
future internationally?
Abbas: I see a new, but slow, global
cultural consciousness in all aspects
of educational technology. This awareness will go way beyond current
academic
thoughts. Educators will not only be interested in liberating others
via
business-based technology but liberating themselves from imposed
cultural
dependencies and their imposed nationality boundaries.
Amy: Sharing and learning from each
other multidirectionally. Great
ideas, philosophies, ideologies, and approaches are not nationally
bound.
Even as it sometimes seems the world is getting more polarized between
competing, equally narrow and hardline perspectives and worldviews,
there
also are growing numbers of people everywhere who understand the needs
for and benefits of tolerance, cooperation, diversities of ideas and
approaches,
and peaceful ways of coexisting.
7. Other ideas or concern you want
to share?
We are grateful for this award. We are
especially thankful to Professor
Nick Eastmond who encouraged us to write about the topic and for his
continuing
effort in promoting international perspectives.
