RTD Theory Spotlight Competition

Background

In 2020, Educational Technology Research and Development published a special issue titled, “The Role of Theory in Learning Design and Technology Research and Practice” (Volume 68, Issue 2). The guest editors began the issue by writing:

The field of learning design and technology... aims to accomplish both research and practical goals. In short, our discipline exists equally in both the worlds of design and practice, and in research and scholarship. Undergirding and driving our work in both of these areas is good theory. Solid theoretical foundations about learning, teaching, design, and technology separate instructional designers from website developers, teachers from presenters, and academics from commentators (West et al., 2020, p. 593).

The importance of theory in Learning Design and Technology (LDT) research is to go beyond identifying variables and questions by providing context, explanation, and critique to those variables and questions (see Whetten, 1989). Furthermore, theory is then useful to the extent that it can lead to impact on the world (West et al., 2020).

Although essential for LDT research, developing and applying theories is not easy. Warr and colleagues (2020) argued that two LDT factors make theorizing especially difficult. First, the work of LDT is complex and uncertain. Second, theory and practice must be closely connected in LDT in order to make claims and provide practical direction for design.

With these constraints in mind, AECT’s Research & Theory Division invites proposals for our inaugural Theory Spotlight Competition at the 2021 Annual Convention. Join us by pitching your ideas that answer: “What theories should LDT researchers consider to provide context, explanation, and critique to the field?”

No RTD Theory Spotlight Competition for 2025

Competition Format

This competition will have both synchronous and asynchronous components. Presenters will record their presentation and post them to a secure virtual space (TBA). These asynchronous presentations will be available for all AECT attendees to view. The presenters will also present synchronously to a panel of judges and other attendees at the convention.

Judging

The presentations will be judged in two ways: 1) a popular vote by attendees, and 2) a vote by a panel of judges.

Popular Vote (People’s Choice Award)

All AECT convention attendees will be invited to view the recorded presentations and/or attend the synchronous presentations and then cast their vote for their favorite presentation that convinced them that AECT researchers should consider/use this theory.

Judge Rankings

The distinct panel of judges listed below will attend the synchronous presentations and vote for the presentation that provides:

quality description of the theory
quality examples of how the theory has been/could be applied
quality of connections between the theory and AECT mission/values/etc.
quality of overall argument for consideration/use of the theory

Award

For the popular vote (people’s choice award), there will be one first place (gold), two second place winners (silver), and three third place winners (bronze). Each one will receive a certificate indicating their winning place.

First, second, and third place winners of the judged ranking will receive certificates indicating their winning place. These presentations will also be featured in a volume on EdTechBooks and AECT’s video library.

Proposal

Proposals should introduce and describe the theory, provide examples of how the theory has been or could be applied, describe the connection between the theory and the AECT mission/values, and provide an overall argument for why researchers in LDT should consider using the theory. Proposals should use APA 7 formatting. We expect proposals for this competition to have:

A title
Corresponding author name and email
All author names and affiliations
75 word abstract
1000 word main body proposal
References

Proposals are due by April 30

Submit your proposal in this Google Form.

Presentations

We anticipate accepting six proposals to present at the AECT convention. Synchronous and asynchronous presentations should be 10-12 minutes in length. More information about the presentation will be provided to the accepted proposals.

Questions?

Please direct any questions to all of the RTD task force members for this competition.

Use “RTD Theory Spotlight Competition” as your subject line.

References

Warr, M., Mishra, P., & Scragg, B. (2020). Designing theory. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68(2), 601-632.

West, R. E., Ertmer, P., & McKenney, S. (2020). The crucial role of theoretical scholarship for learning design and technology. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68(2), 593-600.

Whetten, D. A. (1989). What constitutes a theoretical contribution? Academy of Management Review, 14, 490–495.

Past Recipients

2023

Angel Morgan - "Learning Design and Technology Through the Lens of Intersectional Ecological Theory"

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