Educational Technology Portal Website

Association for Educational

Communications and Technology (AECT)

AECT is not foreign language word, its a short form of the number 1 Educational Technology Organization called the Association of Educational Communications and Technology.

http://aect.site-ym.com/

An overview of the website and what it does:
       The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is a professional association of thousands of educators and others whose activities are directed toward improving instruction through technology.

         AECT members may be found in colleges and universities; in the Armed Forces and industry; in museums, libraries, and hospitals; in the many places where educational change is underway.  AECT members carry out a wide range of responsibilities in the study, planning, application, and production of communications media for instruction.

        The Association has become a major organization for those actively involved in the designing of instruction and a systematic approach to learning.  It provides an international forum for the exchange and dissemination of ideas for its members and for target audiences; it is the national and international spokesperson for the improvement of instruction; and, it is the most recognized association of information concerning a wide range of instructional and educational technology.  Along with our members, we have 24 state and six international affiliates who are all passionate about finding better ways to help people learn.  AECT is the oldest professional home for this field of interest and has continuously maintained a central position in the field, promoting high standards, both in scholarship and in practice.  AECT has 9 divisions and a Graduate Student Assembly that represent the breadth and depth of the field.  The association produces two bimonthly journals, Educational Technology Research and Development and TechTrends.

What does it do for the field of educational technology?

          AECT members enjoy a wide range of valuable benefits, discounts are provided for additional opportunities. It is noteworthy that AECT is governed by an elected board of directors. All members are encouraged to participate in the governance process, particularly by voting in officer and representative elections, both at the association level and within the various divisions.

A break down:

• The good: They have an Annual International Convention for members to gather and exchange interested professionals easy fall, a Research Symposium is included, a Career Center IT Forum, online discussion forums where individuals around the world can discuss theories, research, and practices in instructional technology, A Member Directory to help colleges connected, Opportunities to participate in research initiatives, Finally, a Collaborative Research Grant program provides funding opportunities for developing research collaboration among researchers, institutions, and AECT.

• The bad: Shall in the design and selection of any educational program or media seek to avoid content that reinforces or promotes gender, ethnic, racial, or religious stereotypes. Shall seek to encourage the development of programs and media that emphasize the diversity of our society as a multicultural community.

• The bottom line: After reviewing the many pros and cons of the AECT, comparing and contrasting them, the pros are overweight by the cons.

My rating:  

        The website is rated as 4.6 out of 5.