Martindale elected president of leading international association

A leading researcher in online learning environments and head of Mississippi State’s Department of Instructional Systems and Workforce Development is now serving as President of the flagship international research organization in his field.

Dr. Trey Martindale was named the new leader of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). Elected by the general membership to lead the AECT as it sets policies, standards and strategic initiatives for researchers and practitioners in educational technology, Martindale will spend this year leading the board of directors and speaking at various state an international affiliate groups on behalf of the research and service mission of AECT. Martindale was installed as president of AECT at the International AECT Convention, held this year in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1921, AECT is the preeminent scholarly association for researchers in instructional design and technology, a field that examines how people teach and learn effectively. AECT has more than 2,300 members from 28 countries around the world.

“Our goal in AECT is to help improve teaching and learning in all kinds of contexts. Our membership includes learning professionals in higher education, the military, health care, industry and non-profit organizations,” Martindale said. “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 currently experiencing rapid expansion in various regions, 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 also are well-represented, and the organization 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. He also began discussions with colleagues for a potential Middle East AECT affiliate. He returned to the region in January 2019 to give a series of lectures to graduate students and faculty in Bahrain.

A professor for 20 years, Martindale joined MSU in 2017. He spent the previous 12 years at the University of Memphis. His career has centered on mentoring graduate students, teaching instructional technology and developing online degree programs. l