J. Michael Spector

J. Michael Spector (1945-2026) was a Professor in the Learning Technologies Department at the University of North Texas. He previously served as a professor at the University of Georgia and Florida State University, and as a Director at the University of Bergen. His research focuses on technology integration in education, instructional design, and distance learning. He held leadership positions in IEEE, AECT, AERA, and several leadership boards, including serving as president of AECT from 2009 to 2010. He authored over 150 articles, academic books, book chapters, and journal articles. Dr. Spector received his B.Sc. in International Affairs from the US Air Force Academy and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Texas. Professor Spector passed in September 2026; his obituary, including acknowledgment of his many contributions to the field of educational technology, can be found here.

Some of his most cited work includes:

• Bawane, J., & Spector, J. M. (2009). Prioritization of online instructor roles: Implications for competency-based teacher education programs. Distance Education, 30(3), 383–397.

• Goodyear, P., Salmon, G., Spector, J. M., Steeples, C., & Tickner, S. (2001). Competences for online teaching: A special report. Educational Technology Research and Development, 65–72.

• Jonassen, D., Spector, J.M., Driscoll, M., Merrill, M. D., van Merrienboer, J., & Driscoll, M. P. (2008). Handbook of research on educational communications and technology: A project of the association for educational communications and technology. Routledge.

• Jiang, H., Islam, A.Y.M.A., Gu, X. & Spector, J.M.(2021). Online learning satisfaction in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic: A regional comparison between eastern and western Chinese universities. Education and Information Technologies 26, 6747–6769 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10519-x

• Kim, C., Kim, M. K., Lee, C., Spector, J. M., & DeMeester, K. (2013). Teacher beliefs and technology integration. Teaching and Teacher Education, 29, 76–85.

• Morel, G. M., & Spector, J. M. (2022). Foundations of educational technology: Integrative approaches and interdisciplinary perspectives. Routledge.

• Spector, J. M. (2015). Foundations of educational technology: Integrative approaches and interdisciplinary perspectives. Routledge.

• Spector, J. M. (2014). Conceptualizing the emerging field of smart learning environments. Smart Learning Environments, 1(1), 1–10.

Video:

• Dr. Michael Spector - Learning Technologies

• "A Critical Examination of MOOCs with Remarks about Mini-MOOCs"

• Emerging Technologies in K-12 Education: Challenges, Approaches, and Trends

• Innovative and Effective Learning Focusing on a Developmental Approach to Critical Thinking

• AECT Legends and Legacies

Websites:

• Google Scholar

• University of Texas

• SpringerLinks

• Personal Website