Conference Report
 Asian Journal of Distance Education


Diane Howard, Ph.D.

     Distance Education Scholar Joins International Board at NAAAS Conference                                              

Feb. 16-21, 2004, the NAAAS  organization held an international conference in Houston, Texas in the U.S. This international organization has consisted of the  National Association of African American Studies and Affiliates, the National Association of Hispanic and Latino Studies, the National Association of Native American Studies and the International Association of Asian Studies  The NAAAS organization has been the only one of its kind to collaboratively involve international scholars and higher education academics from the four major American minority groups.  NAAAS has provided international conferences and monograms,  International Academic Scholars Programs, International Research Forums, and the Journal of Intercultural Disciplines. See http://www.naaas.org/.

The title of this year's conference was Harnessing the Future.... Diane Howard, UMHB performance studies and communication professor, who has has been invited to join the NAAAS international board of directors,  addressed the topics of the equalizing, leveling, anonymous, and disembodying aspects of communication  in Cyberspace. She spoke about how these dimensions of cyber communication have provided powerful opportunities for social justice, enfranchisement, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Further, she presented how skillful interactive communication techniques have overridden tendencies to diminish, dismiss, or stereotype others due to gender, ethnicity, racial, and cultural issues. She made the case that effective distance communication, facilitation and moderating techniques via modern e-technologies have enhanced constructive and productive humanizing and socializing interactions. She provided inspirational examples of how Cyberspace has been facilitating positive global, intercultural communities. See http://www.dianehoward.com. to view
Dr. Howard's international distance education work with organizations such as the following:

  • McGraw Hill-  Autobiographical Writing and Performing: An Introductory, Contemporary Guide to Process and Research in Speech Performance (McGraw Hill, 2000); Enhanced by Technology, A Practical Guide to Distance Communication (McGraw Hill, 2002)
  • WAOE (World Association of Online Education; Officer Online Education Curriculum Committee, Online Writer, International Book Reviewer, Online Graduate Ed. Mentor)
  • NAAAS (National Association of African American Studies and Affiliates - National Association of Hispanic and Latino Studies, National Association of Native American Studies, and the International Association of Asian Studies; International Board of Advisors, Presenter, Writer)
  • PSi (Performance Studies International, Founding Member, Presenter, Steering and Sub-Committee Work )
  • TX Nafas (Multi-Cultural, Poetry Organization, Presenter, Board of Advisors)