GSEHD faculty member Dr. Natalie Milman co-authored a new report, “Grand Challenges in IDT – Coordinating Research and Development on Significant Problems of Practice,” published in the OTESSA Journal.
The white paper highlights insights from the OTESSA Santa Fe Colloquium, a two-day scholarly convening held in June 2025 as part of the OTESSA 2025 Congress. The event brought together researchers, instructional designers, faculty, and journal editors to explore new approaches to advancing the field of instructional design and technology (IDT).
Designed as a pilot for a more collaborative and problem-centered model of inquiry, the colloquium shifted focus away from tools and technologies alone and toward addressing meaningful, real-world challenges in teaching and learning. Participants worked to identify “grand challenges” in IDT and to consider how coordinated research and development efforts can better respond to pressing needs in education.
Dr. Milman’s co-authored report captures the outcomes of these discussions and offers a framework for future collaboration and innovation in the field. Her work continues to contribute to national and international conversations about how to improve instructional design practices and better align research with the needs of educators and learners.
This publication reflects GSEHD’s leadership in advancing scholarship that bridges theory and practice, helping to shape the future of teaching, learning, and educational technology.