For each newsletter, I invite members to answer a set of questions:

• What is your favorite platform?
• What is the one indispensable tool/webpage?
• What is your most unexpected source of information about CALL?
• What was your favorite CALL creation?
• What are you working on now?
• What area would you like to see developed/researched?
• In a sentence, what advice would you give to a newbie starting out in CALL?

Since this column began in 2005, more than 30 members have been invited to share resources, experiences and interests. These "interviews"—like a virtual snapshot—reflect where our IS has been, where it is now, and where it is going. I hope you will enjoy these new additions as we continue to compare experiences, share advice, nurture inspiration, and make connections within our community.

Please e-mail me if you have suggestions or contributions to Making Connections.

Dianna Lippincott

Affiliation: Arizona State University, American English & Culture Program
Years in the CALL-IS: 3

Dianna is the director of the ESL Innovation Lab at Arizona State University, helping teachers implement CALL and test new technologies. Last semester, teachers in her IEP used 159 different technologies and applications in their classrooms! Dianna is a representative in the CALL Interest Section Steering Committee and coordinates the Electronic Village Classics sessions at TESOL's international convention.

Q: What is your favorite platform?
A: I had always been a Windows user, and I couldn't understand my teen daughter's fascination with Apple. Then our university went to a dual boot system in our classrooms and the Mac side was much faster than the Windows. So I, like the computers, adapted to using both. I now use a Mac for the portability.

Q: What is the one indispensable tool/webpage?
A: Google Drive!

Q: What is your most unexpected source of information about CALL?
A: None of my information sources are truly unexpected—my teenage children, my coworkers, Richard Byrne's blog, and some electronic newsletters to which I subscribe.

Q: What was your favorite CALL creation?
A: I created an online course for professional development for in-service teachers. We will be piloting the course later this year. The reason that it's my favorite is that it centers around sharing best practices with colleagues around the world.

Q: What are you working on now?
A: I'm working on a collaborative project between Arizona State University and English Central on a course for international students who want to become pilots. This is a profession where pronunciation and listening skills are paramount!

Q: What area would you like to see developed/researched?
A: I'm interested in research that shows the efficacy of different technologies.

Q: In a sentence, what advice would you give to a newbie starting out in CALL?
A: Don't be overwhelmed. There are a plethora of ideas and implementations, but you just need to start with one small thing. Then you can slowly add to your portfolio of CALL skills.

Cate Crosby

Affiliation: University of Cincinnati
Years in the CALL-IS: 1 (Cate has been active in SLW-IS since 2006)

Cate is professor of TESOL at the University of Cincinnati. She teaches courses in literacy and second language studies for preservice teachers, in-service teachers, and doctoral students. Her research interests include TESOL teacher education; U.S.-educated writers; multiple literacies, including informational, digital, and global; and the use of technology in the language classroom.

Q: What is your favorite platform?
A: Firefox OS. My least favorite is my Windows Phone because of the dearth of applications compared to the iPhone and Android.

Q: What is the one indispensable tool/webpage?
A: Dictionary.com.

Q: What was your favorite CALL creation?
A: In the year and a half that I have been teaching fully online, my favorite creation has been my Eyejot, or video email.

Q: What are you working on now?
A: I'm working on improving the online TESOL courses I teach to (primarily) in-service teachers enrolled in the master's TESOL Program at the University of Cincinnati.

Q: What area would you like to see developed/researched?
A: My goal to improve my online teaching for this year is to participate in Kaltura training and incorporate the use of this in all of my online courses.

Q: In a sentence, what advice would you give to a newbie starting out in CALL?
A: My advice to those new to online teaching—get help from the instructional designers at your university (and buy them lots of coffee as a thank you). Also, attend the training your university offers as well as conferences on online teaching, such as Quality Matters and the Sloan Consortium.

Jeff Kuhn

Affiliation: Ohio University
Years in the CALL-IS: 3

Jeff Kuhn is an instructor in Ohio University's English Language Improvement Program and a PhD student in the Instructional Technology division of the Patton College of Education, with a focus on games for language learning. He worked as a consultant on the U.S. Department of State’s Trace Effects and has presented on the use of games in the classroom at TESOL. He has been a member of the CALL-IS for 3 years and is volunteering this year as a webcast host.

Q: What is your favorite platform?
A: Web browsers on any OS. I'm a big fan of mash-ups, and the flexibility of HTML allows me to merge maps, video, audio, and games into activities. You wouldn't believe what I can make run in Hot Potatoes!

Q: What is the one indispensable tool/webpage?
A: I'd say Google Earth because of the possibilities it offers for exploration and classroom visuals. A favorite classroom activity is to have students give virtual tours of their hometowns or favorite sites in their countries.

Q: What is your most unexpected source of information about CALL?
A: Students, for sure. I figure if they are using a tool or website, then I should find a way to bring it into our classroom.

Q: What was your favorite CALL creation?
A: Definitely the Holodeck. It is a virtual language learning environment at Ohio University. We built a small soundstage which allows students to go on virtual tours in Google Earth, give speeches in front of large audiences, or practice ordering language in a mock restaurant.

Q: What are you working on now?
A: Currently I am working on a composition class that utilizes the video game Minecraft. We have selected readings in class that we then experience firsthand inside the video game. The theme last semester was "the zombie apocalypse."

Q: What area would you like to see developed/researched?
A: Gesture-based interaction. A mouse and keyboard are barriers to authentic language practice. Advances in voice and gesture computing are now at a point where we can bring them into the classroom to give students more immersive language practice. Simulation is the next great advance in CALL.

Q: In a sentence, what advice would you give to a newbie starting out in CALL?
A: Go to TESOL conferences (local or international) and talk to everyone—share ideas, get ideas, and collaborate!