College of Education Department of Educational Technology Chair Ellen Hoffman was presented with the 2012 Association for Educational and Communications Technology (AECT) Presidential Award at the AECT Annual International Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. The award is given each year for extraordinary service to the association and to the field of instructional design.

Hoffman, who joined the college’s educational technology department (ETEC) in 2005, is also chair of the AECT Standards Committee. Tasked with reviewing and revising the standards for professional education programs, the committee serves to improve the rigor and alignment of higher education programs nationally and internationally. The committee’s standards were used for all of ETEC’s programs, including the Certificate in Online Learning and Teaching (COLT), which recently received AECT’s Certificate of Endorsement.

With the support and contributions of fellow ETEC faculty members, Hoffman says she is proud to be a part of an amazing department. “We are being noticed for our work and willingness to put ourselves forth,” she said. “My award speaks of all the awards ETEC has received. We are serving our students well, and our impact reaches beyond the university walls. When the students go out into the field or apply for jobs in the profession, they realize they were in a program that is respected for its quality. It matters to them and to us.”

Also at the AECT convention, Assistant Professor Grace Lin received a first place award for a journal article, Assistant Professor Seungoh Paek was a presenter and chosen to participate in an early career symposium, and Assistant Professor Peter Leong was recognized for becoming president of the International Division.

In the past few years, ETEC has expanded enrollment in its campus master’s program, created an online master’s program, developed a doctoral specialization, and established COLT.