Reflections on the state of Educational Technology Research and Development

In this article, I comment on the seven articles that appeared in the speci al issues of Educational Technology Research and Development (1998, 46(4); 1999, 47(2)) and an associated American Educational Research Association (A ERA) symposium, as well as other selected developments in educational techn ology as presented in a recent edited volume (Jacobson & Kozma, in press). I address the importance of the research and development (R&D) described in these articles and identify five interconnected themes that cut across man y og them: the centrality of design, the enabling capabilities of technolog y, collaboration with new partners, scaling up of projects, and the use of alternative research methodologies. Together, the projects described in the se articles are defining new directions for educational technology that put it at the forefront of educational R&D. At the same time, I direct a criti que and challenge to traditional instructional systems design (ISD) technol ogy programs.