ISWD Head Martindale Elected President of Leading International Association

Dr. Trey Martindale, a leader and researcher in online learning environments, was recently elected president of the flagship international research organization in his field of instructional design and technology. The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), founded in 1921, is the preeminent scholarly association for researchers in instructional design, and how people teach and learn effectively. AECT has over 2300 members from 28 countries across the globe. Martindale joined Mississippi State University one year ago and is the Department Head in Instructional Systems and Workforce Development.

Dr. Martindale was elected by the AECT membership and began serving this year as President-Elect--an office which has its own set of responsibilities. The most prominent of these is planning the annual AECT Convention, which includes soliciting and reviewing research proposals that will reflect and represent current research in teaching and learning. At the annual convention, which this year is in Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. Martindale will be installed as President. In this role he will set the agenda for the organization and execute the strategic plan which includes research and funding initiatives, advocacy on U.S governmental policy issues in education, and advancing the field of instructional design. He will also oversee the 21-member AECT Board of Directors, which includes researchers from leading universities in many countries. He noted, “It has been an honor to serve for the last eight years on the AECT Board, and this new office will bring new challenges in leading a dynamic and growing organization. AECT has been so beneficial for me professionally in terms of research and funding opportunities and meeting new colleagues in the field. I owe AECT a debt of gratitude, and look forward to helping others connect with the engaged scholars and resources in our organization."

AECT is continually expanding, particularly in East Asia, with new affiliates in Thailand and Indonesia, along with long-standing affiliates in China, Taiwan, and Korea. Africa, Europe, and South America are also well-represented, and AECT is seeking to expand with new colleagues and potential affiliates in the Middle East. Martindale recently traveled to Bahrain as an invited speaker at an innovation forum sponsored by the eight Arab Gulf countries in the region. There he spoke about innovation in higher education, and specifically online learning environments, and began discussions with colleagues there for a potential Middle East affiliate for AECT.

Martindale has been a professor for twenty years, with the last twelve at the University of Memphis, His career has centered on mentoring graduate students, teaching about instructional technology, and developing online degree programs. He has taken on additional roles including advised the teaching and learning center, and leading university-wide accessibility compliance efforts for web-based courses. He added, “My family and I have so enjoyed getting connected here in Starkville and with the MSU family. MSU is a welcoming and friendly place, and I’ve been so impressed with the dedication of our faculty”