Dear VDMIS Members,

It’s TESOL time again. For the 2013 TESOL conference, VDMIS is proud to present three major sessions: the VDMIS Academic Session and two InterSections, one with Elementary Ed-IS and other with ESP-IS. The title of this year’s Academic Session is “Using Video, Digital Media in the New Era of ELT,” in which we are exploring the new possibilities of using videos and media in our field. And the two InterSections are attempts to see how video and media can be interdisciplinarily applied.

My efforts of 2012–2013 have been on redefining VDMIS. On the one hand, we have been trying hard to clarify our mission, which is to explore the possible and effective uses of video and media. Rather than computerize English language lessons, we are integrating video and media into ELT. In other words, we are users and produces of video and media. On the other hand, we are also trying to broaden our horizons. Given the fact that lots of language teachers love to use songs and music as well as pictures in language lessons, we are trying to probe these different form of media: music and arts. All in all, we are hoping to make VDMIS a group of video and media, music and art, as well as English language teaching lovers.

We, in VDMIS, would love to share our experience with whoever is interested in using video and media in language teaching. If you want to know more about using video and media in ELT or you have something to share with us, please find us at the TESOL community webpage or our Facebook page. (Many thanks to Antonio M. Miyar, our technical expert, who has started this page for us.) Any questions or discussion is welcome. Should you have any dynamic ideas or be interested in presenting with us, definitely let us know, please.

At last, may all our VDMIS members have a wonderful TESOL. Be sure to stop by our IS booth. See you in Dallas!

Kenneth

Kenneth Kuo-pin Chi received his TESOL teacher certificate at Teachers College, Columbia University, and his MA from New York University. He is currently teaching at Fu Jen Catholic University, in Taipei, Taiwan. He has been teaching English as a foreign language for more than 15 years. His interests are incorporating movies and digital media into language lessons, assessment, and grammar teaching.