Discussions Discussions You will need to use the back button on your browser to return herefrom the archive pages.   A Forum for the Instructional Technology Community Please note the Copyright and Discussion policies below

ITFORUM is an electronic forum where people from around the world discuss theories, research, new paradigms, and practices in the field of Instructional Technology. ITFORUM was founded in 1994 and has been sponsored since its inception by the Department of Instructional Technology at the University of Georgia. The list is open to anyone interested in instructional technology (a special invitation is extended to graduate students in IT programs)

ITFORUM is a little different from most forums in that specific discussions are conducted throughout the year. From time to time, leaders and graduate students in the field are invited to write a short paper, essay or dissertation paper  that is posted on the website prior to discussion. This guest discussant remains available electronically on the list for a period of one week to discuss, debate, or answer questions from subscribers.

The Moderator for the list coordinates and facilitates discussions and handles the day-to-day management of the list. Lloyd Rieber of the University of Georgia, who started ITFORUM in 1994 and served as Moderator until 1998 now acts as "Moderator Emeritus" and provides advice, expertise, and assistance with list management. Dan Surry of the University of South Alabama served as Moderator from 1998 until 2003. Kathy Ingram of the University of South Alabama served as Moderator from 2003 until 2005. Dr. Gene Wilkeson of the University of Georgia developed the original ITFORUM website back in the mid-1990s. His time and efforts on behalf of ITFORUM are greatly appreciated. Current questions about ITFORUM should be directed to Lloyd Rieber or Beverley Ferrell, moderator since 2005.

Copyright and Discussion Policies

It's useful to compare discussions on ITFORUM with those of a hallway chat between colleagues after hearing a really good presentation at a conference. Our hope is that ITFORUM will be a place where people feel free to make more casual comments about issues confronting the field rather than the usual hardcore, often stuffy, academic rhetoric. One important distinction between ITFORUM and these hallway chats is that everyone has the chance to discuss the talk with the speaker/s and with colleagues from around the world (especially those without Ph.D.s - in fact, rank has little meaning on ITFORUM). You should not feel you have to labor days on a comment or question before you post it. We also feel that "lurking" is a perfectly acceptable form of participation. We like to think of ourselves as a friendly bunch who are willing to share our ideas and knowledge of instructional technology with one another.

General Discussion Policy

Given the mission and purpose of ITFORUM, the discussion policy is: **During those weeks (see upcoming discussions page) when a scheduled discussion is taking place, all postings should be relevant to that discussion. Its a matter of professional courtesy to the authors.

Copyright Policy

Copyrighted material cannot be posted within email to the ITFORUM group without permission of the copyright holder. This must be verified by separate email to the forum >owner from the person holding the copyright before posting the material. All discussion statements are considered the property of the member and may not be posted on the web elsewhere without their permission. Please send them an email and request their permission.

Please note we are always looking for good papers! Papers on all topics related to instructional technology are encouraged; the papers can be either theoretical or practical in nature, including "in progress" papers and short opinion pieces.  Discussing your paper on ITFORUM is a great way to disseminate your ideas and to get feedback on your work. If you have a paper that you would like to contribute to ITFORUM, please contact Beverley Ferrell.  Be sure and reformat theemail address when you click on it.

The new discussion schedule can be found on the Future Discussions Page.

RECENT PAPER DISCUSSIONS

The Previous Discussions page has links to the older papers from 1994 to the present.

Last updated    09/082009