Danilo M. Baylen
University of West Georgia - Download Profile/Vita

Thank you for the opportunity to be considered as the next Executive Secretary of the AECT Board. I am honored to be selected as one of the candidates for election to this key position.

Educational Background and Leadership Experience

I am a Professor of Instructional Technology at the University of West Georgia. Before this position, I held various roles as Associate Professor (UWG), Assistant Professor and Instructional Designer (Florida Gulf Coast University), Instructional Design and Development Coordinator (Ohio State University Mansfield), and IT Services Director (University of Akron). I also worked in different capacities as an analyst, specialist, educator, and consultant for the government, universities, and non-profit agencies in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, and most recently, Cambodia.

My academic background includes multiple graduate degrees in Counseling (Northern Illinois University), Elementary Education (Florida Gulf Coast University), and Library & Information Studies (University of Alabama), and a doctorate in Instructional Technology (Northern Illinois University). I completed an undergraduate degree in Economics (University of the Philippines) and a graduate certificate in Children’s Literature (Pennsylvania State University).

My research focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of professional development experiences involving technology use and integration in K-12 and higher education settings in the United States and specific Asian countries. Further, I have developed an emerging research interest on factors contributing to the successful convergence of children's literature, visual literacy and emerging technologies to enhance student learning.

I held various leadership roles at my university and several professional organizations. I served as chair of department, college, and university-level committees focused on technology and diversity. Beyond my university service, I participated in several professional boards (i.e., International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA), Georgia Association of Instructional Technology (GAIT), Southern Regional Faculty & Instructional Development Consortium (SRFIDC), and Teaching, Colleges & Communities (TCC) Online Conference). Also, I served as a member of editorial boards (i.e., TechTrends, Quarterly Review of Distance Education, To Improve the Academy, and International Journal of the Scholarship of Technology-Enhanced Learning).

Currently, I am serving as the IVLA editor-in-chief of The Book of Selected Readings, and one of the associate editors of the Journal of International Students. I also served as co-editor and managing editor of the Social Studies Research & Practice journal. I will assume the position of GAIT president starting this January 2019. Last November, I was elected as IVLA vice president for a one-year term.

Experience with AECT

I joined AECT as a graduate student in mid-1990s. My first experience with the organization involved serving as the Strohbehn Intern during the 1996 convention. My early years with AECT was productive as it became my professional home. The ect Foundation nurtured my career goals with the Mentor Endowment Fund Scholarship (1997) and Professional Development (1998) in the years that followed. These recognitions partly fueled my continuous engagement that led to serving twice as chair of the Crystal Awards (DDL). With these roles, I chaired and participated in other division committees involving awards (CLT, International Division, and OTP) as well as proposal review and session facilitation. Since 2016, I serve as the convention planner for IVLA, an affiliate organization of AECT.

For three years (2014-2016), I served in leadership roles as the International Division's president-elect, president, and immediate past president. In 2018, I served as one of the mentors for the Symposium on Mentoring Early Career Faculty and Advanced Doctoral Students sponsored by the Research and Theory Division.

The International Division had recognized my work and contribution to the field, especially in international contexts with the President’s Service Recognition (2015), International Contribution (2016), and Distinguished International Service (2018) awards. In 2016, AECT presented the James W. Brown Publication award to the Essentials of Teaching and Integrating Visual and Media Literacy, a book I co-edited with a colleague. Further, IVLA recognized my professional contribution to the field of visual literacy with two awards: Education (2015) and Research (2018). Finally, I received the 2018 Juanita Skelton Award for Distinguished Service (Public Education) from GAIT.

Role of the AECT Executive Secretary

In reviewing the functions of the AECT Executive Secretary, there are three things that stood out as critical competencies such as 1) monitoring of financial affairs, 2) collecting and recording of information, and 3) serving as liaison/advisor for the Association.

With my experience in grant implementation and management, I believe that I am prepared to assume the monitoring role of the Association's financial affairs. My current grant writing and implementation activities have given me a greater familiarity with budgeting and related processes. My background in economics also provides a solid understanding of cost-benefit issues especially those concerning with the Association's operations.

For a scholar-practitioner, the accurate collection and recording of data are quite significant especially in serving as reference and basis of any future decision-making process. Further, the preparation of accurate and well-written reports is essential in documenting and archiving the AECT Board and Executive Committee's deliberations and actions. I believe that I am well-prepared to assume this role especially with my background in library and information studies and experiences in research and publishing.

Finally, as the keeper and provider of information acquired in the past as well as present activities for future decision-making, I believe that I am in a good position to assume the role. My background in counseling and information services would be an asset in meeting the role expectations especially in managing various stakeholders.

I believe that the time has come to serve in a new capacity for AECT. After twenty plus years of observing the organization, connecting with different stakeholders, and performing various division or committee roles, I believe I am ready and prepared to serve as your next Executive Secretary. So I am asking you to support my candidacy with your vote!