🚀 go-pugleaf

Mike Albright wrote:

>Would you see this "division list" as being separate from AECT-L, or
>could AECT-L serve this function once its Vision 2000 mission is
>complete?  If two separate lists, how would their purposes differ?

AECT-L could serve as a centralized list.  It would be important, as others
have noted, that subject lines include something that would identify both
division and topic.  That way, as with other lists, the reader can select
what to read and what to discard unread.

>What if RTD should ask to set up a list to focus on a discussion of
>current research in instructional technology?  Or to address an immediate
>issue, what if the new CHANGE division should ask to establish a list
>specifically to discuss systemic change in education?  Should we expect
>these divisions to be satisfied with the response, "Sorry, but for now all
>AECT divisions have to share the same list until the number of postings
>justifies a mitosis"?  Or do we make exceptions for requests from
>divisions that deal with specific categories of information?  What should
>the task force recommend in its report?

This is a sticky issue.  From my perspective as a division president, I
could make the case that the members of my division should be served by a
list that would meet their specific needs as a service of their membership
in DEMM.  In this case, the list serve would be another form of
communication like newsletters that are limited to divisional membership.
This response, however, is not the one I would like to personally advocate,
for I think it is not in the best interest of the association as a whole.
To use the example of the CHANGE division, systematic change in education
is a topic that should be of interest and concern to many of us.  Having a
list that is available to all who care to subscribe and participate will
increase the range of ideas available for those heavily involved in the
discussion, and provide useful information to the rest of us who are
interested in the topic.  The same could be said for media management
information, production, research, international issues, etc.  I liken the
list to a convention program.  Sessions are provided in a wide variety of
topics and _open_ to any member of the association.  Similarly, there are a
number of AECT members who subsribe to _ETRD_ yet are not members of DID or
RTD so they can keep current with the cutting edges of educational
technology.

My $.02 worth.

Wes

Wes Miller
Earlham College Media Resources
Richmond, IN  47374
317/983-1278
wesm@earlham.edu