This year, Dr. Marina McIsaac was selected by the International
Division of the Association for Educational Communications and
Technology (AECT) to receive its prestigious International Contributions
Award. This award is given to recognize a worldwide record of
extraordinary contributions in the field of educational technology.
As one of her colleagues aptly noted, “Marina is truly a
World Citizen and wherever she goes she brings her abiding curiosity,
a well-researched preliminary assessment of the site, and an embracing
sense of adventure upon arrival in some new place…she makes
information come alive for learners.”
To provide further insights into Dr. McIsaac’s international
role for members of AECT, as coordinator of the award, I conducted
the following interview with her on October 4, 2007.
Of your many contributions to
the International Division, which ones "resonate" with you?
What resonates with me is identifying
promising international colleagues and students and providing
opportunities for them to become active participants in the
International Division of AECT. Students and young international
scholars are our future, and the International Division is only
as strong as the diversity within our membership. I was also
pleased to have so many of our graduate students from Arizona
State University (ASU) become members of the International Division
and take key roles in leadership in our division.
What stands out in your mind
in relation to your work in the field over the past five years?
I’ve been retired for five
years. What I enjoy the most now is being able to take advantage
of opportunities that I couldn’t pursue fully when I was
teaching. I could be engaged to some degree when I was working
full time, but I can pursue such venues to a greater degree
now. For example, I’ve widened my sphere to Asia, particularly
Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Last year I was a researcher
in Portugal and was fortunate to be able to promote the research
and scholarship of Portuguese students and colleagues who presented
their work at a new international venue for them, the International
Council for Educational Technology (ICEM) conference in Cyprus.
Establishing a network of close professional connections for
colleagues worldwide is the most important thing I’ve
done in the last five years.
What contributions to the field
internationally do you believe are the most important ones you
have made?
In my professional life I received
three Fulbright Awards. The first one was the Fulbright Scholar/Research
Award. I went to Turkey in 1986. I was fortunate to have a Fulbright
to a country that was developing its open education program.
In 1991 I received the Senior Scholar/Research Award that allowed
me to follow up with my earlier work in Turkey, and lecture
in Germany and Italy. In 2001, the award was the Alumni Initiative
Award. With that grant I worked with colleagues in Turkey on
the expanded Open Education Program.
The Fulbright experiences changed
both my professional and personal life. My horizons were
broadened and my international work with other cultures became
a life-changing experience.
How would you describe your leadership
across national boundaries?
It was a privilege to help a developing
program in Turkey. It was exciting to bring the international
students to AECT where they could actually meet the authors
that they had read. And it was exciting to watch them develop
into leaders in their own countries, as well as internationally.
As President of ICEM, a Unesco Affiliated Organization, I was
also privileged to work with leaders from over 40 countries
to promote the use of Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) worldwide. One example was the opportunity I had to be
involved with the AGRIAMEDIA conference held in Eger, Hungary,
strengthening ties with ICEM and AECT.
What message would you like to
share with graduate students and new professionals in our field
who are becoming involved with our International Division?
Don’t get discouraged. Keep
up the good work. It is important to help people who follow
you. You need to participate in a variety of professional activities
and mentor your students well – shepherd them through
their academic process. The students you have today may be leaders
in our field tomorrow.
For example, one of my greatest rewards has been watching my
students develop their skills and go on to mentor their students,
thus enriching our profession through another generation.
I particularly enjoyed watching some gifted students I taught
as undergraduates, during my first Fulbright year in Turkey,
go on to become Professors, receive international recognition
and bring their own students and colleagues to AECT. The greatest
blessing for me is to have had incredible and intelligent doctoral
students at Arizona State University. They have truly enriched
my life. Watching them become excellent scholars and teachers,
seeing them pass down what they have learned to their students,
has been my greatest joy.
Thank you, Marina; it is obvious
why you deserve the International Contributions Award.
Another colleague offers another example of her impact and sums
up her commitment by stating, “Dr. McIsaac is a dedicated
scholar, who serves not only the development of her profession,
but she helps the popularization of Information and Communication
Technology worldwide, in addition to promoting the interests of
the wider professional community.”
This remarkable professor will be at the AECT Conference this
year where all participants can talk with her and cheer for her
as she accepts her well-deserved award.
