This special AECT25 Proceedings issue of the Journal of Applied Instructional Design spotlights exceptional sessions presented at the AECT 2025 International Convention in Las Vegas, NV. Over the past 100 years, the field has witnessed the emergence of audio and video communications, numerous cutting-edge instructional design models, computer-based systems, the Internet, and online learning. Grounded in that legacy, we must intentionally re-focus toward the future. Centered on this theme, a call went out for presentations across many different special interest areas.
The 2025 AECT Convention addressed topics including stronger academic–practitioner linkages, the effects of emerging technologies on practice and research, and challenges in designing effective learning environments. This special issue presents a selection of papers that capture and extend those themes.
Featured in these proceedings is one of the Presidential sessions. Megan Derrick examined online learners’ isolation, cognitive overload, and fear of the unknown through the lens of cosmic horror in her Presidential session “Cosmic Horror & Digital Learning: What Lovecraft Can Teach Us about Online Education,”. The session connected narrative and horror techniques with instructional design strategies to mitigate these issues.
Alongside this Presidential session, this issue includes 84 manuscripts on topics such as partnership-building, practitioner-led research in educational technology, cutting-edge tools, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Collectively, these contributions aim to re-focus our thinking as AECT enters its next century of service to the field.
The AECT25 planners thank our AECT 2025 convention planning committee as well as the contributing authors, TechTrends student editorial board, peer reviewers and the JAID editorial team for their commitment and expertise in bringing this issue to fruition.
AECT25 Convention Planning Committee
Katie Walters - Culture, Learning & Technology
Xinhao Xu - Design & Development
Daisyane Baretto - Distance Learning
David Coffland - Emerging Learning Technologies
Hoda Harati - International
Anne Fensie - Learner Engagement
Brittnee Fisher - Organizational Training & Performance
Lucas Vasconcelos - Research & Theory
Nate Turcotte - Systems Thinking & Change
TJ Kopcha - Teacher Education
Tian Luo - Technology Integrated Learning
Hemalathaa Kasiviswanath Yuvaraja - Graduate Student Assembly
Beth Jordan - Education in Health Professions
TechTrends Student Editorial Board
Danni Fernandez – University of Georgia, Athens, GA, US
Soomin Lee – University of Florida, Gainsville, FL, US
Shayla Nelson – Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, US
Shiyao Wei, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, US
Liangke Yang – University of Georgia, Athens, GA, US
Min Zhuang – North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, US
AECT 2025 Planners
Christopher T. Miller, John H. Curry, and Lauren Bagdy
EdTech Archives