When I first read Foti's "The Rise and Fall of Educational Technology: Did We Miss the Point?" more than a year ago I was immediately brought to attention by his perspective about the history of ed tech and where we stand today. For all the current discussion on standardizing education, Foti's notions on how accountability and administrative tasks have hijacked technology's instructional promise were striking. It was a fresh, clear voice in the wilderness calling out to my conscience.

Immediately I began correspondence with Sebastian, and over the course of the last year we have further explored his ideas. I eventually invited him to speak as our keynote at this past February's Technology Leadership Symposium, and he was just as straightforward and thought-rpovoking in person as he is print. He set the tone for our entire day: have we lost our way? How do we get back on the right path? What can the future hold?

The context he provides for all of us working to advance teaching and learning through technology is invaluable, even as we continue to serve many stakeholders in education. For this reason I nominate Sebastian Foti as a 2007 Top Online Educator.

Walter McKenzie
Surfaquarium