Issue 8-1
Officers’ Reports

Looking Back: Accomplishments in 1998
*JALT98
*TMIT Mini-Workshop
*CALL N-SIG Publications

Minutes of the 1998 CALL N-SIG Annual
General Meeting

Looking Back: Accomplishments in 1998

JALT's 24th Annual International Conference
Computers and Language Learning Mini-Workshop '98
Teachers, Learners, and Computers: Exploring Relationships in CALL

JALT's 24th Annual International Conference

JALT's 24th Annual International Conference on Language Teaching and Learning focused on classroom interpretations. The conference was held from November 20th-23rd in Omiya.

The CALL N-SIG had a very successful conference. There were a large number of great CALL presentations, our new book was successfully promoted and many new members joined the N-SIG.

Our presentations included the CALL N-SIG Swap-Meet, where the latest techniques for using computers to assist in language learning were shared, and our virtual presentation which focused on the use of computers as `Mindtools' for supporting language learning. The Mindtools presentation featured Dr. David Jonassen and after viewing a video on his work, we discussed his ideas of using computers as tools to support critical thinking. We then made a conference call to Dr. Jonassen (thanks to the support of Paul Newhausen of 0061 who arranged to pay for our call to the USA). There was also a CALL colloquium where three presentations illustrated ways in which classroom interactions have been changed by computer-assisted language learning and information.

The CALL N-SIG brought out its new book, Teachers, Learners and Computers, Exploring Relationships in the Classroom. Over 200 books were sold or given away to members.

Partly on the strength of our new book and the fun and excitement of our table, many new mem-bers joined the CALL N-SIG. We had 44 new members sign up at our table. It is now up to the CALL N-SIG to keep these members interested and get them involved.

We will be handing over the position of Program Chair to Patricia Thorton and Larry Davies. We wish them the best of luck and we hope that you will give them the same support and encouragement that you gave us. Thanks, once more, to all the people who came to the presentations and visited our table at the conference.

- Paul Daniels and Bryn Holmes, Program Co-chairs

Computers and Language Learning Mini-Workshop '98
for (Jr.&) High School Teachers of English

Held Saturday, November 28, 1998
Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Technology (TMIT)
6-6 Asahigaoka, Hino City, Tokyo 19l

Twenty participated in the inaugural (Jr &) High School Computers and Language Learning Mini-Workshop '98 held at Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Technology (TMIT) on Saturday, November 28. It was encouraging that eight (8) were Japanese who repeatedly said that 80% of their staff were interested in CALL at the basic level. Many had never seen CALL in action, but would take interest had they the opportunity. The largest delegation (6) came from Fujimura Girls' High School in Tokyo, which anticipates opening a CALL Lab in the near future. They were led by John Thomson, the co-program chairman.

Helping with presentations were featured speaker Bryn Holmes, invited speaker Russell Willis of Eigo Media, and Paul Daniels of Tokai University. James Wada served as coodinator. The event was followed by a get-together at a nearby drinking place, where a feedback session was held between quick sips of beer.

The group decided that the spring mini-workshop would be held on Saturday, June 12, 1999 some weeks after the Calling Asia conference in Kyoto. More interpretation into Japanese would be required if more Japanese junior and senior high school teachers were to participate. In 1999, the basic hands-on portion will be held in the CALL Lab and the hands-off demos on the 6th floor in the seminar room. Another mini-workshop is scheduled to follow in the fall.

All agreed that the attendance would increase in 1999, and in the near future with the new guidelines announced by the Ministry of Education regarding the increase of computers in secondary classrooms by year 2001. We will publicize the workshops more in 1999.

- James Wada, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Technology

Teachers, Learners, and Computers:
Exploring Relationships in CALL

Edited by Paul Lewis

I'm delighted to tell you that the new book, TLC: ERiC, should be in your hands very soon. Our latest project (and the most recent book on CALL in the world!) has taken many months with the assistance of many hands to produce. Things were very tight, but we made the deadline by the skin of our teeth (the books arrived at JALT98 the day before the conference started), much to the relief of all involved.

As editor, I'd like to thank everyone who helped out. After two books for the CALL N-SIG in as many years, I'll be taking a break in 99 to concentrate on my new duties as CALL N-SIG Publications Chair before launching the next big project—a survey on CALL in Asia, due in 2000 and linked to the Pan-Asian conference series. I'll be sending out details early next year, so watch for this if you want to take part.

TLC: ERiC explores the new relationship developing in the classroom between the teacher, the learner, and the computer. Twenty five chapters from some of the leading experts in the field cover many aspects of CALL, seen from this viewpoint. The book has an international focus, with writers from Japan, the UK, Canada, the USA, Australia, and Brazil. ISBN4-88521-154-2C1082 Y2000E, 226 pp.

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