Dear colleagues,

I can’t tell you how fulfilling it is to be involved with a group of folks who are always looking for fun, innovative, and effective ways to enhance teaching and learning in ESL/EFL through technology and digital media. I enjoy the opportunity to share some of the exciting things that our members are doing through my position as assistant editor of the VDMIS Newsletter.

In addition to my position within this interest section, I am also the current president of Virginia TESOL. I have to say that it really is an honor and a pleasure to be involved with TESOL at both the international and affiliate levels, as it affords me the opportunity to network with and learn from some of the most motivated and knowledgeable individuals in our field. I encourage you all to do the same and take advantage of any opportunities that are available to you; you will not be disappointed.

Next, I would like to repeat part of the message from Joyce Cunningham (VDMIS Newsletter editor), as it still holds true, and I really can’t think of a better way to say it: “I would like to encourage you all to consider submitting longer articles of interest to our newsletter or shorter reports in the form of book reviews, polls, calls for papers, and conferences. Such a conference related to our VDMIS may be held in your city or region and/or may be where you yourself presented. Sharing your experiences, research, and insights in the areas of video, digital media, art, and music will serve to benefit our group as a whole.” In short, we are always looking forward to receiving your newsletter contributions! Please send them our way!

Finally, I would like to thank Joyce Cunningham (VDMIS Newsletter editor) and Kenneth Chi (VDMIS chair) for their assistance and advice throughout the process of preparing the newsletter. Last but not least, I would like to thank all of the contributors for sharing their knowledge and experience with all of us through their article submissions.

Again, I hope you enjoy the issue, and I hope to see you all in Dallas for #TESOL13!

Laura Ray

Laura Ray is originally from the Syracuse area in upstate New York, but now resides in Norfolk, Virginia, where she has been faculty/administrative coordinator at the Old Dominion University English Language Center for the last 4 years. Her major interests are related to campus and community engagement and programming for intensive English program students as well as the use of technology for teaching and learning. In her free time, she enjoys playing music in a local acoustic trio and spending time outdoors.