Greetings VDMIS Members,

It used to be that technology was for the elite, for those who could afford it. Technology prices have dropped to the point where where it now really is for the masses. More students have smartphones with access to more than a million different apps (for either iPhone or Android platforms); more students have digital cameras with HD quality filming capabilities; and more students are falling under that contemporary moniker of “digital native.”

Now more than ever, we, as educators, should be embracing technology and utilizing it as another instrument in our toolbox to aid in making language learning come alive. Odds are that our students are already creating wonderful multimedia for their own private (and some public) use. Why not have them generate that same multimedia for classroom projects?

As chair-elect, I look forward to working with any and all members of the VDMIS and TESOL community to brainstorm and develop innovative multimedia activities and materials as well as to inspire others to action. I would also like to call on each member of VDMIS to do the same: Lead and motivate others by sharing your work, your students’ work, and your expertise with others within TESOL.

Help us make VDMIS grow and flourish in these times of endless possibilities.

Sincerely,

Scott Duarte