Innovate and Microsoft - this cannot be true

05-October-2007

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Things have gone pretty badly wrong when Innovate - the web based ed-tech journal invites "manuscripts describing uses of Microsoft technology (e.g., Office, SharePoint, WL@EDU) that enhance, extend, or in some cases replace traditional pedagogical or research methods". Why? Because Microsoft are paying them.

I found it hard to believe this email which arrived this afternoon. I've always rated Innovate as one of the best of the on line educational technology mags. And I've got no problems with seeking sponsorship (anyone want to sponsor Sounds of the Bazaar?). But some sort of independence is critical. And inviting the submission of "manuscripts describing uses of Microsoft technology (e.g., Office, SharePoint, WL@EDU) that enhance, extend, or in some cases replace traditional pedagogical or research methods" is just ...I am lost for words.

Just so you know I am not making this up see text below from editor James Morrison:

"We are delighted to announce that Microsoft is the first charter sponsor of Innovate under a new program designed to build alliances with corporate participants in the educational technology community. The sponsorship program will widen Innovate’s scope while ensuring that Innovate will continue to be available as an open access e-journal......

The sponsorship program affords technology providers the opportunity to partner with Innovate to help spread the word about creative new uses of technology that will enhance educational effectiveness. In concert with this effort, we are offering sponsors a voice on our Web site via a new section, "From Our Sponsors." As described in the "About this Journal" link, we will publish articles in this section that focus on (1) how educators use our sponsors’ products to enhance teaching, learning, and administration, (2) the services our sponsors have provided or intend to provide to enhance educational effectiveness, and (3) how our sponsors view the future of education and the role information technology tools will play in addressing educational problems and issues. These articles will
meet Innovates high editorial standards; they will be rigorously reviewed and edited to enhance their value to the global community.

As part of the sponsorship arrangement with Microsoft, we invite you to submit manuscripts describing uses of Microsoft technology (e.g., Office, SharePoint, WL@EDU) that enhance, extend, or in some cases replace traditional pedagogical or research methods. Interested authors should contact me with a brief description of the proposed article and an approximate date of submission. "

Oh my - whatever next - project placement, dog-food adverts?

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Graham Attwell; 05-October-2007 18:31:42; forum (1) help

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1 Appalled as well!

I too was sadly disappointed to see the email from James Morrison - long time editor of Innovate. Like Graham I can handle sponsorship - even from corporates but inviting (presumable positive) reviews of commercial tech in a peer reviewed journal! Sad sad sad.....
I too have enjoyed Innovate over the years and was aware that Morrison was having problems funding the Journal. As always the case with Open Access Journals, finding a business cases is a challenge. I would much rather have given Microsoft a page (identified) of advertisement, then to cloud the issue of objectivity and bias by asking for articles relating to their products. What if the articles are blatantly critical of Microsoft? I hope Morrison got VERY clear control over editorial freedom, else I fear that Innovate may loss the one thing a peer review journal can not compromise with- its academic independence and thus its credibility.
Terry Anderson, 07-October-2007 20:22:14 forum / discussion

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