Danilo M. Baylen
University of West Georgia

Thank you for the opportunity to be considered as the next International Division Representative to the AECT Board. I am honored to be one of the candidates for election to this position.

Educational Background and Leadership Experience

I am an education professor of instructional technology who focuses his scholarly writings on technology integration best practices, visual and media literacy strategies, and blended and online course design and pedagogies in international contexts. Currently, I work in the College of Education at the University of West Georgia. My educational background includes a doctorate in instructional technology and a master's degree in counseling (student development in higher education track) from Northern Illinois University, and graduate degrees in library and information studies (University of Alabama) and elementary studies (Florida Gulf Coast University). Also, I completed a graduate certificate program in children's literature (Pennsylvania State University), and an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of the Philippines.

Before coming to the University of West Georgia, I held various roles as 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 Cambodia.

Further, 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.

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 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.

As AECT Board Representative for the International Division

I believe that my experience with the International Division as a member of its past leadership teams (2014-2016) will provide a strong understanding in advocating the needs of its members. In these capacities, I implemented initiatives such as "Who's Who in International Division," "Stories from Home," "The Doctor is In" to name a few. Also, my research and professional activities in international contexts (i.e., Southeast Asia) will give more insights on the issues and challenges of our international members especially those concerning with the AECT operations.

At this time, I believe that I am well-prepared to represent the International Division in the AECT Board. I genuinely think that I am an asset to the International Division in meeting the role expectations especially in managing various stakeholders and promoting new initiatives. I believe that the time has come to serve in a new capacity for the International Division. After years of observing and nurturing the Division activities, connecting with different stakeholders, and performing various division or committee roles, I believe I am ready and prepared to serve as your next Board Representative. So I am asking you to support my candidacy with your vote!