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Today's twenty-somethings have an entire set of language idioms tied to their high-tech environment. Instead of telephoning they communicate by instant messaging. Instead of getting to know people face-to-face (we used to call it dating), they enter information online at "My Space" or "Face Book" and share their thoughts and feelings on blogs. A question they often ask each other is "What's on your iPod?" As I transition out of my AERA presidency, I'd like to share metaphorically what's on my iPod.
The first song you might find on my iPod is James Brown-"I Feel Good"!-symbolizing a year of pride and accomplishment. Our membership is record high-24,000-with increased participation by graduate students and new faculty. I feel good about our direction as we strive to improve service to our members. Our website is more user friendly and serves as a wonderful portal to the Association. This year's Annual Meeting submissions through All Academic went very smoothly.
Another song on my iPod is by Tony Bennett: "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." It seems to anticipate a wonderful 2006 Annual Meeting in the City by the Bay. Our program chair, William Tate, and I were pleased by AERA members' enthusiastic response to this Meeting's theme, "Education Research in the Public Interest." The theme gave education researchers occasion to talk not only among themselves but also with broader publics whose concerns embraced almost every aspect of education.
A third song on my iPod is "Respect"-Aretha Franklin. In the course of this year I have become more aware of education researchers' need to be proactive...