As technology becomes utilized more in the fields of counseling practice, research, and teaching, there is interest in looking at the research agenda that faces us. (Walz, 2000; Jencius & Sager, 2001). This year an attempt was made to organize counselor educators to begin to draw up a research agenda for technology as it applies to counseling. The annual conference of the Research Center for Educational Technology, January 25-26, 2001, held at Kent State University, provided an opportunity for counselor educators to piggy-back on a successful existing conference dedicated to research development in educational technology. It gave the group a chance to discuss what research questions are significant to the progress of knowledge in technology and counseling. Those joining us included my co-editor Michael Baltimore from Columbus State University and Lori Crutchfield also from Columbus State University, John Bloom from Butler University, Anne Albrecht and Dennis Jones from Tarleton State University, Paul Granello from Ohio State University, Ky Heinlen from Cleveland State University, William Evans and Kenneth Miller from Youngstown State University and colleagues, Betsy Page and Melanie Warnke from Kent State University. Over the two day span of the conference, we attempted to define what we believed were the major areas of research concern in the field of counseling, counselor education and supervision. The group met in breakout sessions and engaged in dialogue to establish some ideas around the topology of the research questions. The major research areas identified by the group included the following: 1. Technology in the Instructional delivery/pedagogy, 2. Technology in practice, 3. Technology in Supervision, 4. Technology in the research of counseling, 5. Technology in the administration of counseling, and 6. Technology in the social context of counseling. Each of these six areas have research questions that address the point of view of the technology producer and consumer and the relationship between them. The group intends to expand these ideas in future writings.

The call for the conference was well received although we had many who could not attend but were supportive of future attempts to gather. It is my hope that in the future we can expand and continue our conference focus on counseling related issues. Having the luxury to take off a few days and be involved in a group process that provides a think-tank for further research is rare for most of us. I would like to see the initial group expand to include the development of research co-ops between sites based on research interests.

In addition to the RCET conference as an example of furthering the counseling technology research agenda, I would like to draw the readers' attention the ERIC\CASS - ACA CyberCounseling website. The site has been newly redesigned and expanded  and is quickly becoming a great resource for researchers in the field. As you look for a source of writings on technology and its application to counseling and learning, I encourage you to look at the CyberCounseling website. The site has a growing rich body of work, including a site search engine for the researcher. It is efforts like the innovative ERIC\CASS - ACA CyberCounseling that will provide researchers with a wealth of information and good ideas.  

JTC Changes…..

The Journal of Technology in Counseling resumes publication with this issue. This last year has brought changes and delays in the production of the journal and given a steady supply of submissions we should be a regular publishing entity.

The journal becomes a production born, and now raised, on the Internet. In the last year I accepted a position at Kent State University, requiring the editing and production of the journal to be done by Michael Baltimore and myself completely over the Internet. The journal production process is now a metaphor for the types of questions our submissions try to answer regarding teaching, learning and practice. having to do the whole thing via technology has its losses. No more afternoon “editorial meetings” strolling across Columbus State University campus or design decisions made over Chinese buffet. That "human" part can’t be accommodated by technology. . . yet. 

In future editions of the journal you will see greater design changes. Michael Baltimore and I are testing (sic learning) new web development software that has already cut down on some of the browser compatibility problems that we have had in past production. These changes dramatically decrease our headaches but do not change the end product. In attempting to provide a sleeker design and one that is more accessible, we are looking at changing the page layout to reflect the Web Accessibility Initiative and the W3C standards. As we adopt accessibility standards we will point out the changes in future issues trying to make the journal accessible without sacrificing the interactive nature of the medium.

Take JTC on the go. This issue provides readers with the first issue available on line and also downloadable for your PDA handheld Palm Pilot or Pocket PC. The PDA versions currently lack the full functionality and graphics of those on our website version, so you’ll want to always refer back to the online version for multimedia. In the meantime, you can catch up on the journal on your next plane flight, while waiting at the dentist, or anytime on the go. You can download this issue in Palm OS and Windows Pocket PC (CE) and let us know how it works for you.

Michael Baltimore and I would like to thank you for all the support and kind words we have received since developing this project. As always we are indebted to our editorial board.  Encourage others to take a look at JTC and consider how you might contribute to the to the further advancement of technology in counseling by an article submission to JTC. 

Marty Jencius

Co-editor

Kent State University

References

Walz, G. (2000). Summing Up. In J. W. Bloom & G. Walz (Eds.) Cybercounseling and Cyberlearning: Strategies and Resources for the Millennium. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association/CAPS

Jencius, M. & Sager, D.E. (2001). The practice of marriage and family counseling in cyberspace. The Family Journal, 9 (3), 295-301.