Dr. Michael Spector

Congratulations on your retirement, Dr. Spector!

 

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After years of educating minds, pioneering edutech research, shaping futures, and racking up more air miles than most pilots, it’s finally time to trade your office keys for a beach chair. I feel truly privileged to have known you, learned from you, and shared a few well-earned pints along the way. You may be retiring from UNT, but let’s be honest—you’ll never retire from your boundless passion for life, your dedication to research, or your unwavering commitment to excellence. Wishing you endless joy, great health, and many more travel miles.
Cheers, Dimitris

Mike is a luminary in the field. I am so honored to have been able to collaborate with and learn from him. Our field is fortunate to have had not just an eminent scholar, but a truly kind, ethical and integrous person. Thank you Mike for all you've done for our field.
Congratulations on your retirement! Wishing you nothing but happiness, good health, and exciting new adventures in this next chapter of life. Enjoy every minute — you’ve earned it!

Dear Dr. Spector, Your vision in Learning Design and Technology transformed our field. Taking a chance on me as a junior colleague changed my career path forever. As you retire, please know that your legacy continues through the department you helped build. With gratitude, Jihyun Yu
During my time as a visiting scholar in 2019, I had the chance to chat with Professor Spector twice during lunch. Although our conversations were brief, they left a deep and lasting impression on me. I still remember a colleague mentioning that he commuted several hours each day between home and campus — something that really touched me and showed just how passionate and committed he was to his work.While I was there, I also read the Handbook of Research on Educational Communications and Technology and was truly inspired by Professor Spector’s remarkable academic contributions. Thank you, Professor Spector, for your dedication and inspiration. Wishing you a joyful, healthy, and fulfilling retirement filled with new adventures and well-earned relaxation.

Dr. Spector, Thank you for supporting students and colleagues so well! I have personally benefited from reading your work and your professional influence. One example would be the article you wrote requesting replication and extension studies. It has helped me quite a few times over the years. Of course, there are too many other examples to recount here. I wish you all the best in your next chapter.

It is with deep admiration and heartfelt appreciation that I join colleagues and friends in celebrating the remarkable career of Dr. Michael Spector, a visionary scholar, dedicated mentor, and transformative leader in the field of learning, design, and technology. Dr. Spector’s impact on the field is nothing short of extraordinary. With a career spanning decades, his scholarship has shaped how we think about instructional design and technology. I had the honor of receiving the J. Michael Spector Appreciation Award from AECT last year. This award, created in Dr. Spector’s name, speaks volumes about his legacy of scholarly contributions and the inspiration of his character as well as the profound respect and gratitude our AECT community holds for him. Dr. Spector’s dedication to fostering the next generation of scholars has left a lasting impression on so many of us. He has modeled what it means to be a scholar who lifts others up and a leader who leads with integrity and vision. Thank you, Dr. Spector, for your scholarship, your mentorship, and the quiet power of your example. As you embark on this next chapter, your enduring legacy will continue to guide us. Congratulations on your retirement!
With deepest appreciation and best wishes,
Hengtao Tang
AECT J. Michael Spector Appreciation Award Awardee (2024) 

Dr. Spector you are a great motivator, inspiring person… It will be a great honor to find a chance working with you! Every meeting was full of new knowledge, idea and enthusiasm… It is not that easy to express you… just thank you for everything!

Hi, Dr. Spector! This is Ying Yu from China. I was very fortunate to be your visiting scholar at the Learning Technology Laboratory from 2019 to 2020. You have been extremely generous in offering me help both in life and study. Thank you! I find two photos, and one photo was taken at the International Conference on Smart Education held at UNT, and the other one shows you communicating with visiting scholars from China. Cherishing the nice times! On this occasion of your retirement, I would like to express my gratitude once again for your guidance. Wish you good, and happy retirement! Now I am working at Tianjin University in China. Hope you visit Tianjin University.
Ying YU
Visiting scholar (2019-2020) from China

Dear Dr. Spector, Congratulations on your retirement! I want to express my deepest gratitude for your extraordinary mentorship. Your guidance has been invaluable to me—especially during the uncertain transition when you welcomed me into your cohort after my previous advisor’s departure. You lead with the wisdom and grace of a rabbi, and your insights have been a lasting torch, illuminating not only my academic path but also the way I approach challenges beyond it. I wish you a retirement filled with joy, discovery, and the same profound inspiration you've given to so many of us.
Hi Mike, I remember when we met in New Orleans (see attached photo) about your possibly coming to UNT! I also remember so many times (like CELDA in Madrid) you have included me (as a newcomer) among your inner circle for most memorable good times and scholarly exchanges. I will always be honored to be your colleague and friend.
Gerald Knezek

It is truly an honor to write a few words for Dr. Spector, a highly respected and deeply admired scholar in our field. His contributions to Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come. I first met Dr. Spector nearly 20 years ago at Florida State University, and since then, he has always been a source of inspiration to me. During the year we spent together at the University of North Texas in Denton, both my wife (Esra) and I received such incredible support and kindness from him. We are truly grateful and will never forget all that he has done for us. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to meet and work with him. Despite the short time we spent together, Dr. Spector showed me nothing but generosity, thoughtfulness, and unwavering encouragement. His guidance and warm presence have had a profound impact on me, both professionally and personally.

Dear Dr. Spector, thank you for everything you have done for our field and for the people around you. I wish you all the best in this new and exciting chapter of your life. You will always have my utmost respect and heartfelt appreciation.
With our warmest regards,
Recep & Esra Çakır

Dear Mike, Best wishes on your retirement. I appreciate you coming to South Alabama speak to my class several years ago; the students were so impressed. Again, congratulations and enjoy on your retirement.
Of all the superb things I could say, permit me to just say . . . Thank-you! Wish you the best!

Mike, your extraordinary career has left an indelible mark on the field of learning technologies. Beyond your groundbreaking research and leadership, I will always be grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on our Learning, Design, and Technology major reference work—a project that reflected both your scholarly rigor and your deep commitment to advancing the field. From our many AECT conventions to our memorable travels to Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali and beyond, you brought wisdom and wit to every endeavor. Our recent years together at UNT have only deepened my appreciation for your mentorship and friendship. Congratulations, Mike, on a retirement richly earned—you have shaped more than a field; you have shaped countless lives.

Dear Dr. Spector, The first time I came across your name was in the prestigious AECT Handbook of Research on Educational Communications and Technology, which you led. I’ve admired you ever since. Although we haven’t had the chance to collaborate directly, I truly enjoyed all our conversations. Beyond your warmth and generosity, what stands out is the depth and impact of your scholarship. Your work has been exceptional, and your contributions have left a lasting mark on all of us. Wishing you a retirement filled with joy, discovery, and well-deserved rest!
Best regards,
Li Cheng 

Mike Spector has not only been a pioneering figure in the field of learning technologies, but also someone whose work has significantly contributed to its broader recognition and deeper understanding. He has encouraged all of us to think about learning in more meaningful and thoughtful ways. To me personally, Mike is not only a highly respected scholar, but also someone who has offered guidance with kindness and unwavering support. I am deeply grateful for his invitation and hospitality, as well as the many ways in which he has enriched my own academic journey. His retirement will undoubtedly leave a significant void — not only at UNT, but across the entire field of learning technologies. Mike, your presence, wisdom, and contributions will be long remembered.
Thank you for everything,
Ertugrul Usta

It all began in Grimstad, Norway, during a NATO-sponsored conference in the nineties (see picture). I became captivated by the work of Mike Spector and the concept of ID automation. We maintained contact over the years. We were privileged to host Mike in Leuven on several occasions, most notably as a keynote speaker at the SIG EARLI SIG conference, which we organized to celebrate the retirement of Joost Lowyck. Mike graciously invited me to co-edit the fourth edition of the Handbook of Research on Educational Communications and Technology, alongside D. Merrill and M.J. Bishop. This collaboration was truly delightful and enriching. Our editorial efforts extended further as we endeavored to establish a structural collaboration between the journals 'Educational Technology Research and Development' in the US and 'Instructional Science' in the EU. We continuously exchanged ideas, particularly during inspiring AECT conferences. I am profoundly grateful that Mike agreed to host me and engage in numerous discussions during my three-month stay at the University of North Texas in Denton from December 2024 to February 2025. Mike has always been, and will continue to be, a creative and collaborative thinker, wise scholar, and engaged researcher who prefers to make others shine. Let us now turn the spotlight on him and acknowledge his numerous contributions to the field of instructional design. Mike, my life would have been much poorer without the opportunity to know and work with you.
THANKS A LOT!
Jan

Wishing you a fulfilling retirement filled with joy. Your belief in putting "learning before technology" has inspired so many of us. Thank you for your dedicated service to the department and to the field.

Dear Mike, Congratulations on a well-earned retirement! It has been a blast getting to hang out with you in Texas over the years! Enjoy your new adventures!
Joseph Springer

Dear Dr. J. Michael Spector, Congratulations on your retirement! Joe and I so treasure your friendship and all the great memories we have of working together with you. How can I sum up so many years of friendship, fun and support? I will try… I remember meeting you for the first time with Milt at the US Air Force Academy, when you were doing research there. You were hard at work at your computer, developing and writing. This, of course, is an image I always carry with me, because you are such an amazingly productive scholar! I remember when others of us were taking months to write a book chapter for the Handbook, and on Monday morning you had said you’d finished your chapter over the weekend. You have always taken the tough and high road in terms of accepting the challenges of being a top leader in our ever-changing field. Your research and publications truly form a cornerstone of our field! It is not just that you are one of the most prolific scholars ever. Your writing makes all of us THINK CRITICALLY. You bring to bear in your scholarship important foundational research and weave together work from many fields. Your writing is always succinct and powerful. You conduct research with true IMPACT. You walk the talk, and talk the walk. You serve as a role model of a true scholar-teacher, Mike, to all of us. I have had the privilege of seeing you working with your students, in meetings and at conferences, as well as leading and mentoring faculty. You always strike the balance among caring, supporting and challenging others, helping them to become good scholars in their own right. You have contributed mightily to our field as AECT President and ETR&D Editor! You have continued to serve AECT, especially in the International Division, introducing so many wonderful international colleagues to AECT, and many other learning technology organizations and journals.

Mike, I am forever grateful to you that I have been one of your mentees. You have been the most supportive mentor to me my entire career. Your advice has often helped me with dilemmas at work and in life, and I know this is the case for so many of us. You have always supported others’ work as scholars – inviting us to serve as a co-editor, to submit book chapters, and to write together. So many great memories, Mike: - Top of the list – getting to know your family and watching your children and grandchildren grow up over the years. You are a most amazing Dad, Granddad, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and Friend! - Best cook ever – Gumbo cookoff & burgers on the loading dock - University of Bergen – and your colleagues in Learning Technologies - University of Freiburg – Norbert Seel and so many colleagues and new friends there - CELDA - Your teacher-technology and learning technology research grants A highlight of our lives for Joe and me is our amazing 12-year run working together with our fearless leader, Colonel Dr. Milton Nielsen, developing and leading faculty Instructional Technology workshops with Dr. Liz Strand, Dr. Mike Farrell, Ann Jensen, and so many others at Texas State University San Marcos. We will always treasure all our times working together, but also special meals and events together – dinners with Milt and Sandy, River Pub, restaurant over the San Marcos falls, Bracken Cave, seeing your family! You supported Dr. Ed Kavazanjian and all of us in securing funding for our 10-year NSF Engineering Research Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics, CBBG, and serving as one of the first Scientific Advisory Board members. Mike, one of the major highlights of my life is that you knew that in retirement I would want to stay active in our field and serve students. You invited me to apply to serve UNT as an AGF in the Learning Technologies PhD program. Thank you so much, Mike, for allowing me to enjoy once again working with you and the wonderful students, faculty and staff in LTEC. Mike, you are the best scholar and mentor ever. I wish you a wonderful retirement, full of productive times, and warm and enjoyable times with family and friends.
Enjoy!
Willi Savenye

Dear Mike, Michael Spector is one of the most intelligent, quick-thinking, and humble people I have ever had the privilege of working with, and he has left a lasting impression on my life. As you step into this new chapter, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the tremendous impact you've had on me—both personally and professionally. You have not only been a brilliant scholar and educator but also a generous mentor and a true friend. Your wisdom, integrity, and unwavering dedication to advancing the field of Instructional Technology have left an enduring mark on countless lives—mine included. Working with you and learning from you has been both an honor and a gift. Your ability to listen deeply, guide thoughtfully, and challenge constructively is something I will always admire and strive to emulate. You’ve shown us all what it means to lead with humility and serve with purpose. As you retire, please know that your legacy lives on in the work we do and in the many lives you've inspired. Thank you for everything, and may this next phase bring you the joy, rest, and new adventures you so richly deserve.
With warmest wishes and deepest respect,
Orhan Curaoglu

Hi Mike, This is Li Chen from Jiangxi Normal University. Today is April 20, 2025. I’m in Jiangxi, China. After hearing you are retiring, I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your retirement. Your lifelong dedication to research, education, and mentorship has had a profound impact on scholars around the world, myself included. It has truly been an honor to have the opportunity to learn from you during my time as a visiting scholar back in 2018 to 2019. As your birthday approaches, I also wish you a joyful and memorable celebration. May this new chapter bring you plenty of happiness, health, and time to enjoy the many things you love. Thank you again for your inspiring work and generous guidance. I look forward to staying in touch and continuing to learn from the legacy you've built.

Hearing about your retirement brings such a bittersweet feeling! Above all, I want to wish you a retirement filled with health, happiness, and the freedom to pursue whatever brings you joy.

Mike, I have fond memories of our time as colleagues at FSU. Some of those memories include faculty meetings, student defenses, and kind mentoring advice. Others are snapshots of life's little moments, like eating avocados in your dining room with international scholars and hiking in Sicily. Thank you for being a part of my academic journey. I wish you all the best in your much deserved retirement.

Hi Mike! It was genuinely a pleasure getting to know you, your humor and, most of all, to eat your delicious CHILI! I hope that you take care in retirement and do things that Mike wants to do without extraneous IT difficulties and Windows 11. Much love!

Mike: Words can't express how grateful I am for your mentorship, friendship, and the opportunities you have created for me to learn and grow in my professional journey. Your kind and generous support has made a lasting impact, and I will always be grateful.
Lin Lin

Mike- Sorry to see you go. But am happy for you. I hope that you enjoy your retirement and get to do all the things that you never had time for while serving academia with your brilliance. Don't be a stranger.
Robert Wright

I wonder if you remember the time we spent on AECT's founding of what became the IBSTPI standards for instructional designers. I hope you share my fond memories of collaboration on this groudbreaking competency modeling project for ID's. Sharing my perspectives with you, Ken Silber, Judy Hale, Barry Bratton and all the others was a priceless experience!

Dear Mike, it has been an honor to not only have known you but to have privilege of working alongside you. You are not just a role model as an academic but also an inspiration for future generations of aspiring researchers and academics.

Dear Dr. Spector, Thank you for your extraordinary contributions to the field. I am truly honored to be one of your students at the University of North Texas. I sincerely appreciate how you share your incredible experiences in class — they are always inspiring and enriching. Your guidance serves as a lighthouse, leading and motivating us toward a better direction in our journey. Wishing you all the very best.
Best regards,
Fu-Ling Chung

I am, and I will always be, so very thankful to Dr. Spector for everything I learned from his teaching and his mentoring during my graduate student life at UNT. I had the honor and privilege to have him as my Major Professor. Even though I could mention so many ways Dr. Spector impacted my life; I have to limit myself to talk about two of the many, many things I learned from him. The first learning experience I would like to share, that opened my mind about Educational Technology and, inevitably, helped me to decide about what my Ph.D. dissertation topic would be. In one of Dr. Spector´s classes I took; he asked us how far back we thought the history of educational technology could be traced; of course, none of us guessed it right. We were all astonished to learn that Dr. Spector and Dr. Youqun Ren co-authored a chapter in The SAGE Encyclopedia of Educational Technology, titled “History of Educational Technology” and that they had traced the history of educational technology back thousands of years, when people definitely used technology to support teaching, though they were not using this terminology then. Learning that amazing fact ignited my interest in researching educational technology publications. The second learning experience I would like to mention here, is Dr. Spector´s Father phrase he always cited, which is not just an inspirational and motivational thought, but it can help anyone to stay focused on what is really important when mentoring anyone: (kids and grandkids, students, team members, friends…) “A Teacher is: - The voice that encourages, - The ear that listens, - The eye that reflects, - The hand that guides, - The face that does not turn away” Sending you all my best wishes as you retire! Just keep in mind that you cannot retire from being awesome : ) 

It’s truly been an honor to be a colleague of Dr. Mike Spector. I’ve long been a fan of his research, and getting to know him as a colleague has only deepened my appreciation. His smart learning environments framework has been a real inspiration. We even used it to evaluate our AI agents in class, and it gave us such a thoughtful way to reflect on what “smart” really means in education. Mike, your work has had a huge impact on so many of us, and your legacy will definitely carry on. Wishing you a joyful, relaxing, and well-deserved retirement filled with all the things and people you love most.
Be Happy and Enjoy Retirement

When I sought admission into the LT program and needed an advisor, you didn't hesitate. Your email reply was simple yet reassuring: "I accept if you are accepted." As my major professor, you always made time to discuss my progress, even when I just happened to pass by your always-open office door. I’ll never forget our first in-person meeting to discuss my degree plan, and your kindness in offering me a ride to the train station so I could catch my train to Dallas. Thank you for your invaluable support, wisdom, and all that you've shared with me.

Thanks to Dr. Spector for introducing me to AECT and mentoring me to be the AECT-UNT/LT liaison - a role I thoroughly enjoyed for the short time it lasted. Your dedication and leadership in the field have been invaluable! Will miss your sense of humor. Congratulations on your retirement!

Dear Professor Spector, I fondly remember our meaningful interactions during my time as a visiting scholar at UNT from August 2018 to August 2019. Though we were in different departments—you in Learning Technologies and I in Information Science—our conversations over several dinners left a lasting impression on me. I particularly cherish our animated discussion at the US-China Education Conference in March 2019. Your case study of Beijing National Day School opened my eyes to new possibilities in educational technology. Your humble demeanor, wisdom, and rich experiences have profoundly shaped my perspectives on education and broadened my horizons. As you embark on your well-deserved retirement, I wish you a fulfilling and joyful next chapter. The seeds of wisdom you've planted will continue to grow in the hearts and minds of countless scholars and students. With deepest respect and gratitude,
Shuyi Wang