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CALL is relevant as an IS and as a collaborator for all strands
– concept based – TESOL has introduced and will implement for the
coming 2019 Convention. Technology remains central to many
teaching/learning spaces.
Our CALL-IS members remain collaborative wherever technology
becomes integrated to enhance the learning or the learning space. We
function as a family, flavored and unique, and we speak one language!
Engaged in our own CALL world, we come together from all parts of the
world to share a passion -– a way of life. Most of us make a physical
appearance at the TESOL convention; reunited for CALL: we meet, we
brainstorm, we decide, we socialize, we network…
We remain grateful that the CALL-IS is able to attract the
large numbers of presenters and attendees to the Electronic Village and
Technology Showcase; wherever the TESOL organizing committee tends to
situate us; we set up base and make the most out of it – drawing in the
avid followers and curious newcomers. The 2018 Convention Electronic
Village & Technology Showcase had its fair share nuances, but
the positives outweighed the negatives, especially when it came to
loading docks, acoustics, loud speakers, bandwidth, and wanderers in and
out of the non-defined open space of the tech-showcase. For me, the
positive stance I kept conscious during the whole Convention was this
year’s floor plan and how it enabled me – due to my continued yo-yo-ing
between the sessions, the keynotes, our CALL-IS sessions, our
activities, and the EV and tech-showcase areas -- to maintain an average
of a 10,000 step work-out daily. Chicago pizza calories did not affect
the waistline!
Not only are our CALL-IS physical experiences and ventures
memorable, but the CALL-IS members and friends are actively present –
virtually -- year round through the TESOL and CALL-IS My TESOL Community
Lounges, the Electronic Village Online, our webinars and various wiki
groups. We usually webcast most of the technology showcase sessions,
keeping them accessible on YouTube to TESOLers
Tentatively, the plans for 2018-2019 include at least three webinars, gaming, Electronic Village Online.
Our first webinar of 2018, The Role of Artificial Intelligence
(AI) in English Language Teaching, Learning and Assessment: Friend or
Foe?, will be a collaboration with IATEFL and the CALL-IS
members." The date is set for 9 November 2018. Check our Facebook
and Twitter
pages for further information.
The collaborative IS panels are underway in the planning stages
as are the two Hot Topic panels. The Hot Topics that will be addressed
this year are “Digital Identify & Badges: Relevance or Need?”
and the “Role of Technology & the Six Principles”.
As an IS, the CALL-IS looks forward to relating to TESOL’s new
vision, accommodating and integrating new roles, mission and projects to
make our IS community more viable and outreach effective.
I look forward to our endeavors and welcome ideas, projects, research with CALL-ISers!
Regards,
Christine
Dr. Christine Sabieh
CALL-IS Chair 2018-2019
Dr. Christine Sabieh, Full Professor at Notre Dame University,
is an American who lives in Lebanon. She is a Rotarian (PP 2014) and a
Paul Harris Fellow. Her memberships include ASIACALL (a Past President
for 5 years, Lebanese Psychological Association (Founding member
& a Past President for 3 years), TESOLArabia (Testing SIG Member
at large), AACE, WACRA, & TESOL (CALL-IS: serving SC &
EV). Currently, she is the CALL-IS Chair-elect.
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