AECT D&D Newsletter
April 2026
D&D Board Meeting on April 13, 2026
The D&D Board had our fourth 2026 monthly meeting on April 13, 2026. The meeting centered on routines of board business, including the AECT 2026 conference preparation, the D&D submission review, and the D&D communication report.
D&D Board Meetings Dates and Link
Our board meetings are now open to all D&D members. Every D&D member can join the monthly D&D Board meetings. The remaining meeting dates in the first half of 2026 are:
- May 11, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST
D&D members can join the meeting using Zoom with the following information:
2026 D&D Awards: Call for Nominations
Though the nomination for most D&D Awards has ended, we want to remind members that the D&D Awards Committee is still accepting nominations for the the D&D Awards Committee is still accepting the the Nova Southeastern Award for Outstanding Practice by a Graduate Student in Instructional Design, which is 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 1, 2026. The award winner will be honored at the D&D Membership Meeting and invited to present their work during the AECT International Convention in Chicago, scheduled for November 3-7, 2026.
D&D Writing Blocks
The D&D Writing Block Series has received great feedback from our members! They commented,
"I didn’t expect much difference between writing in the Writing Block and writing with my own until I attended it today [March 10]. There was a kind of peer pressure. You know some others are writing with you at the same time, and at the end, you need to share what you achieved during these hours. This will kind of push me to write faster and more so that I can report something at the end, which actually made my writing more efficiently."
Please join us in this focused, supportive space where we write together (quietly!) for a set period of time. You bring your writing goal, and we provide the structure and accountability.
Why join?
- Protect time for writing amid busy schedules.
- Build momentum on works-in-progress.
- Write alongside colleagues in a low-pressure and collegial environment.
When and where?
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST on the following Tuesdays:
- April 28, 2026
- May 12, 2026
You can join anytime via the Zoom link: https://odu.zoom.us/j/6513108684
If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Xinyue Ren at xren@odu.edu. We look forward to writing with you!
Renew Your AECT Membership
As you plan for another year of professional growth and scholarly contribution, we cordially invite you to renew your AECT membership for 2026. While completing your renewal, please remember to select the Design and Development (D&D) Division to stay connected with us (alternatively, you may click "Request to Join" the D&D Division on this page). Your continued membership ensures you remain at the forefront of the field while supporting the vital initiatives and leadership that drive our division forward.
We will see you in our next newsletter!