Current Issues in Education > Volume 5, 2002 > Number 1

Citation Information

Laczko-Kerr, I. I. & Gair, M. (2002, May 1). The evolution of Current Issues in Education: Building upon a solid foundation. Current Issues in Education [On-line], 5 (1). Available: http://cie.ed.asu.edu/volume5/number1/

Editorial — The Evolution of Current Issues in Education: Building Upon a Solid Foundation

Ildiko I. Laczko-Kerr
Marina Gair
Arizona State University

Since its inception in 1998, almost five years ago, Current Issues in Education has endeavored to develop into an innovator in creating democratic access to research in education. The journal, designed to provide free access to scholarly research via the Internet, commenced by inviting a diverse group of researchers to dialogue about current issues in education. A simple enough endeavor so it would seem, one that may appear to have been taken up by other journals as well, but looks can be deceiving. Over the course of this journal's life; through the careful crafting and vigilant efforts of editors, associate editors, and advisors Current Issues in Education has continued to evolve into a journal whose mission is focused around establishing and fostering dialogue relating to a broad range of education related topics. It is our great pleasure and honor to be the current stewards of Current Issues in Education (CIE). We follow in the footsteps of many others who have laid a solid foundation for the continued evolution of this journal. It is our hope that we can help to further this process.

Leslie Poynor, in the first CIE editorial address (1998) reminds us that CIE is committed to "establishing dialogue between areas of education that are rarely brought together." This continuing interest in a variety of topic areas is due in part to the realization that educating human beings is a complex undertaking, one that cannot be rushed by technology, time, or political ideology. Our early development as an electronic journal (e-journal) came with the understanding that "The Internet makes e-journals an opportune global mode of communication for scholarly exchange in which national and international boarders are erased. The appeal of e-journals is enhanced by the power of the electronic medium to open up possibilities hitherto impossible" (Ganesh & Jennings, 1999). Utilizing this awareness, our predecessors took actions to develop the medium in which we publish. The use of hyperlinks and multimedia i.e., audio and video clips within published articles continue to be supported by the editorial staff; yet, articles that make use of these unique aspects of electronic publishing in a manner that enhances the research account are seldom encountered. Leavy and Ganesh (2000) note that "scholars may not have access to the power the medium offers and expertise in use of cutting edge technology may rest with a few." While this is certainly true, advances in technology and training have made access and learning more available. Our most recent predecessors remind us "many of the current issues in education are those same issues that educational researchers have been wrestling with for years" (DiCerbo & Darcy, 2001). Current Issues in Education must continue to be a source of quality educational research that meets the diverse needs and interests of a global community of scholars, practioners and recipients of educational research.

In addition to continuing to publish articles that explore enduring topics in education, we want to bring together academics and researchers with diverse theoretical perspectives and disciplinary interests to provide provocative editorials on more contemporary and emerging themes in education. Over the course of the year, Current Issues in Education seeks submissions that have dominated public debates, fueled referenda campaigns, and legislative reforms in the recent past. This year, it is the goal of CIE to reflect the spectrum of actors, range of competing discourses, and ongoing processes of change in education.

Authors

Ildiko I. Laczko-Kerr, Ph.D. is a graduate from the Division of Psychology in Education at Arizona State University. Her research interests include teacher quality, training and certification, specifically emergency teacher certification and its effect on student achievement. She holds a BA in Psychology and a MA in Educational Psychology from the University of Arizona. Ildiko may be reached at ilaczko@ade.az.gov.

Marina Gair is a doctoral candidate in the Division of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Arizona State University. Her academic interests include Sociology of Education, Educational Anthropology, and Visual Ethnography. Her current research focuses on the socialization of preservice teachers, specifically investigating the ways in which elements of hidden curricula function in teacher training practice. She has recently contributed an introductory chapter entitled "Hiding in Plain Sight" to the edited volume, The Hidden Curriculum in Higher Education by Eric Margolis (Routledge, Spring 2001). The work is based on ethnographic interviews with leading scholars in education on the topic of socialization and the reproductive functions of post-secondary schooling. Marina can be reached at marina.gair@asu.edu.

References

DiCerbo, K. E. & Darcy, M. (2001). Current Issues in Education: Meeting the challenges of our times. Current Issues in Education [On-line], 4(1). Available: http://cie.ed.asu.edu/volume4/number1/

Ganesh, T. G. & Jennings, T. A. (1999). Ejournals today: Forerunners of the unrealized potential of the digital medium. Current Issues in Education [On-line], 2(1). Available: http://cie.ed.asu.edu/volume2/number1/

Leavy, A. M & Ganesh, T. G. (2000). The nascent promise of ejournals: Instances of pioneering use of technology. Current Issues in Education [On-line], 3(1). Available: http://cie.ed.asu.edu/volume3/number1/

Poynor, L. (1998). Editor's Notes — Current Issues in Education [On-line], 1(1). Available: http://cie.asu.edu/volume1/number1/