Theory Spotlight Competition

Call for Proposals for the AECT 2023 Convention

Call for Proposals: bit.ly/aect23-theory

Submissions: bit.ly/aect23-theory-submit

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 second annual Theory Spotlight Competition at the 2023 Annual Convention. We want to hear about existing and new theories and why they are important. Join us by pitching your ideas that answer: What theories should LDT researchers consider to provide context, explanation, and critique to the field?

Competition Procedure

The AECT 2023 Theory Spotlight Competition will be asynchronous. Participants will submit the written and video components of their proposal prior to the start of the judges’ review.

Presenters will record their presentations and post them to a secure virtual space. These asynchronous presentations will be available for the competition judges and all AECT 2023 attendees to view.

Judging

Criteria

The presentations will be assessed through scores provided by a panel of judges on the following criteria:

• Quality description of the theory (10 points)

• Quality examples of how the theory has been/could be applied (10 points)

• Quality of connections between the theory and AECT mission/values/etc. (10 points)

• Quality of overall argument for consideration/use of the theory (10 points)

Panel of Judges

• Ali Carr-Chellman: Dean of School of Education & Health Sciences, University of Dayton

• Marcy Driscoll: Dean Emerita of College of Education, Florida State University

• Cara North: Founder and Chief Learning Consultant, The Learning Camel

• Rick West: Professor of Instructional Psychology & Technology, Brigham Young University

Awards

First, second, and third place winners of the judged ranking will receive certificates indicating their winning place. 

All finalists will be featured in a volume on EdTechBooks and AECT’s video library. Past winders include:

• 2022 Winners: https://edtechbooks.org/theory_comp_2022 

• 2021 Winners: https://edtechbooks.org/theory_comp_2021 

Proposal Format

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. There are two components of the proposal: written and video.

Part 1: Written Proposal

The written component of the proposal should use APA 7 formatting. We expect proposals for this competition to include:

1. Title (15 words or fewer)

2. Author Information

   1. All author names and affiliations

   2. Corresponding author name and email

3. Abstract (75 words or fewer)

4. Proposal Narrative (1,000 words or fewer)

5. References

Part 2: Video Proposal

A recorded, 8- to 10-minute video presentation should complement the written proposal.

Important Dates

Deadline

Proposals are due by Friday, August 4, 2023 (11:59pm PT)

Submit your proposal here: bit.ly/aect23-theory-submit

Notifications

Judging will be completed and winners will be announced by Friday, September 29, 2023.

Questions?

Please direct any questions to the RTD task force members for this competition:

• Bret Staudt Willet (bret.staudtwillet@fsu.edu)

• Heather Leary (heather.leary@byu.edu)

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. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-020-09746-9 

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. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-020-09770-9 

Whetten, D. A. (1989). What constitutes a theoretical contribution? Academy of Management Review, 14, 490–495. https://doi.org/10.2307/258554