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Greetings fellow CALL-IS members and friends of the interest section!
As a newcomer to CALL-IS (Computer Assisted Language Learning
Interest Section), I enjoy the fact that there’s always something to
learn about. Since 2017 was my first year at a TESOL International
Convention & English Language Expo, I attended a couple of
sessions at the Electronic Village. I was excited to learn about how
other teachers were using technology to assist in language
learning.
The second year I attended, I not only presented a session in
the Electronic Village, but I also volunteered. I helped presenters find
their stations and answered questions about scheduling, the technology
being used, the format of presentations, and more. I didn’t always have
the answers, but I knew where to go to find them. It felt good to be
useful and informed.
Though I am still new to technology use in the classroom,
volunteering has taught me so much. This year at the 2019 TESOL
Convention in Atlanta, I volunteered in the Technology Showcase. During
this showcase, presenters share the latest trends in topics in CALL,
graduate research done in the field, as well as software and
internet-based applications. It was exciting to meet the teachers and
researchers behind these advances.
This year, there was a need for webcasters. Although I had
never webcasted before, I volunteered. Thanks to helpful colleagues who
took their time to train me, it only took a few minutes to learn. It
ended up being a fun experience. I gained a new skill and was able to
learn even more about our field while webcasting many interesting
sessions.
Since every area of
the Electronic Village is led and supported by volunteers, more help is
always needed. The volunteers and organizers that are in charge of our
CALL-IS are extremely helpful and always ready to teach others about
what we do. I say “we” because I now volunteer as part of the steering
committee.
You don't have to be an expert to volunteer for our CALL-IS.
Just being willing to serve goes a long way! As a volunteer, I met so
many great people and learned much more than I would have otherwise. I
invite you to see what the Convention looks like from a closer
perspective as a volunteer. Join me in Denver in 2020!
For more information about volunteering, see this link.
Taira Nieves works as a lecturer in the Intensive
English Language Institute, Department of Languages, Philosophy and
Communication Studies at Utah State University. She is a member of
CALL-IS and has been a member of the Steering Committee since 2018. | 
