Editorial

WhitherÄLT-J?
Issue 7.1 represented the annual special issue of selected papers presented at ALT-C 98.
This issue is the first time the new editorial team have edited an 'open' issue comprised of
papers selected from those submitted as part of the normal refereeing process. The broad
scope of the papers in this open issue - courseware design, collaborative learning,
evaluation, student use of electronic bibliographic databases, staff development - bears
witness to one of the most fascinating aspects of learning technology: its broad-based
interdisciplinary nature.

We feel strongly that ALT-J should provide a forum for scholarly debate, which reflects the
eclectic nature of learning technology. However, there is a danger that, with a diverse
profile, the journal could lose a sense of direction. With this in mind we have identified
four areas that we would like to encourage:

• The application of learning technology is in its infancy. HE institutions are trying out
different approaches in an attempt to match the use of technology to local needs and
demands. We can all learn from each other in this context, and we see ALT-J as
providing opportunities for strategic initiatives to be reported, leading to a discussion
of issues such as staff training, resourcing and management.

• Our view is that ALT-J is a scholarly journal. As such a prime rationale for the journal is
the publication of the results of empirical research, and we wish to encourage research
papers.

• The youth of learning technology makes it very important that we think creatively
about the future. 'Brain-storming' has a role in thinking creatively about the
educational use of technology, and we wish to encourage papers that reflect on future
developments.

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ALT-] Volume 7 Number 2

• The journal must guard against being parochial. The boundaries in education are being
eroded - notably in the blurring of notions of higher and further education. Likewise
the interface between the commercial and industrial sectors and education is becoming
more diffuse. Education is becoming more international, in some part due to the
possibilities afforded by information and communications technology. We intend to
encourage papers that look to cross-phase developments, explore relationships with
industry and commerce, and have international dimensions.

In line with these aims we have decided that in addition to the annual conference edition,
we will publish a special issue on a key topical theme or research area or work which
reflects current developments in a particular sector. This will give an annual profile for the
journal consisting of a special conference issue published in April, an 'open' issue
published in July, and a special thematic issue published in November. In this way we hope
that we will provide an opportunity for a wide range of papers to be published in a focused
way, to reflect the four key themes of the journal.

To launch this new format, Issue 7.3 will develop the fourth aspect outlined above by
focusing on work from the commercial sector and in particular will describe the
educational work associated with the BT Laboratories at Martlesham Heath. The work in
the BT Laboratories picks up on all four of the themes we have identified: interdisciplinary
research and development, links between further and higher education, relationships with
industry and commerce, and state-of-the-art research and development in learning
technology. We would welcome suggestions for the next special edition to be published in
November 2000.

David Squires and Gráinne Conole

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