Hello Distance Learning Division members,

If you haven’t submitted your Distance Learning proposal for the Orlando AECT Convention you will want to do so as soon as possible.

The Distance Learning Division encourages proposals of disciplined inquiry, best practices, and practitioner oriented proposals. Example paper topics range from virtual high schools and universities, blogging, podcasting, online gaming, effective instructional design, successful instructional strategies, research, theory, student success, faculty development, enhancing motivation, online collaboration, online social and learning interaction, mentoring and other importance topics of interest to DDL members.

Additionally, we are seeking paper presentations that will have a discussant within the presentation. If you are interested in presenting
with a discussant please make sure to describe this at the end of your proposal. If you are wanting a discussant, you will be required to
provide a completed copy of your paper to the discussant prior to the conference

Don’t forget that the deadline for proposals is February 16, 2008.

Chris Miller

Board meeting notes I took from today’s AECT Board. We started by accepting the minutes and agenda. I missed a couple of points in the discussion but this is the nut-shell version. I’ll refrain from editorializing on it here.

1. NCATE update. Kay Persichitte
- a discussion is shaping up about NCATE standards and the relationship between NCATE and AECT. there will be a survey to the membership on the subject in an attempt to try to resolve the ambiguity from the first survey. the process will be via web and phone.

2. Executive Director’s Report. Phil

Florida Educational Technology conference plans
- Phil’s going to talk to FET about some collaborative issues

Webinar next steps/registration fee.
- The SecondLife webinar had a lot of signed up people, but a substantially reduced number of attendees. The next webinar will have a nominal fee associated with it in order to cut down on the numbers of “signups who don’t show up.”

Orlando Convention “Super Early Bird” registration
- The rates are in. SEB rates will be available on the website soon.

“Seed” Award project update
- There will be some awards soon.

Changes to the AECT Job Center online
- We have a lot of resumes in the system and we are working to take advantage of that resource.

Anaheim Proceedings published
- Fewer papers but you had to register to be in the Proceedings. The assumption is that the reduced numbers are due to the increased limitations.

2. Projects updates.

FutureMinds Phil
- waiting on some information from participation

SecondLife Mary Herring
- initiatives are proceeding. new presentations are ongoing

Aectnow Phil/Pat
- the website work has fallen victim to time pressures. we have the ability to recreate the front page of AECT on AECTNow but no clear consensus as to what should replace that.

Membership Phil/Pat
(i lost this)

3. Summer Research Symposium update.
- planning is ongoing.

4. Orlando Convention update. Mary
- Good progress. Early bird rates are coming up. Mary will be in Orlando next week.

5. Elections update and leadership concerns. Phil/Pat.
- only 4 divisions have a slate. most are unopposed. (DL does NOT have a slate).

– long conversation about why nobody runs.
“If we give them something meaningful to do…”
“If we change the election time frame …”
“If we provide recognition…”
Adjourn.