JITE v41n4 - From the Editor - One Brick Higher
FROM THE EDITOR
One Brick Higher
On a crisp winter day in January 1894, the faculty and students of Purdue University stood proudly at the dedication of their new engineering and technology home, Heavilon Hall. But four days later, this same group stood in shock as they watched their new engineering symbol burn to the ground. The University President, James A. Smart, stepped forward and noted that a new Heavilon Hall would go up, "one brick higher"; and less than two years later, it did rise from the ashes, nine bricks higher.
When Boy Scouts go on a camping trip, they maintain a motto of leaving the campsite in better shape than when they found the area. Whether a university building, a wilderness campsite, or a professional journal, it is our obligation to continually improve our endeavors. This has been the mission of your Journal of Industrial Teacher Education Editorial Board over the past two years. The Board and I have revised the Journal to a calendar-year publication schedule, reduced review time to an average of less than 60 days, published two special issues, and, in so doing, encouraged aspiring young industrial teacher educators to submit their manuscripts.
In This Issue
This special issue of the Journal focusing on educational technology begins with an article by John E. Turner and Phillip A. Reed from Old Dominion University. Their work consisted of the development of a task list for university faculty involved in the teaching of distance education courses via television. Next, Klaus Schmidt and Dan Brown from Illinois State University discuss their research on embedding typical on-line learning components into the traditional classroom. Lynna J. and Floyd B. Ausburn, Oklahoma State University, provide the third and final article in this special issue of the Journal . The Ausburns discuss how industrial teacher educators may take advantage of virtual reality as a new teaching tool.
Stephen J. Elliott, Purdue University, provides the "At Issue" piece for this issue of the Journal . Elliott discusses his insight into incorporating biometrics into the K-12 technology education environment. A book review of Our Own Devices: How Technology Remakes Humanity (Tenner, 2004) is provided by Andrew E. Schultz from Central Michigan University.
The Journal's "Bits and Pieces" section contains information regarding submitting manuscripts to the Journal and how to become a member of NAITTE.
The publication of Volumes 40 and 41 of the Journal would not have been possible without the dedication and devoted labors of numerous individuals. First is the Journal's Associate Editor, Janet Z. Burns. Janet has been a constant and leveling force on the Board. When a question arose regarding a manuscript, it has been Janet to whom this Editor has turned for assistance. The Journal's Assistant Editors, Mary Jo Self, James C. Flowers, Robert T. Howell, and Andrew E. Schultz, have all provided valuable and timely manuscript reviews, thus helping the Journal maintain its timeline and quality. Over 30 NAITTE members have served as reviewers for the Journal's Volumes 40 and 41. These manuscript referees are the gatekeepers of the Journal's high standards, and their work is greatly appreciated.
The one individual who truly has been the quality control for Volumes 40 and 41 of the Journal of Industrial Teacher Education is Judith V. Wood. Jude's skill and knowledge related to English, grammar, and the APA style manual are unbelievable. She truly has allowed the Journal to continue its tradition of excellence. This Editor and NAITTE are deeply indebted to Jude for her service to the profession.
With the efforts of this outstanding labor pool, the foundation of the Journal of Industrial Teacher Education is at least one brick higher for its new Editor, Janet Z. Burns, and her Editorial Board to commence their work on Volume 42.
GER