“Computers are useless for they can only give answers” - Picasso

My main interests in CALL are in its use for the development of learner autonomy and its use for the provision of language support in out-of-class settings. I have developed software for different universities for this purpose. Have a look on the ‘Virtual and Blended’ learning page for demos.

I am very excited about the new book series that I will be editing for Palgrave Macmillan on ‘New Language Learning and Teaching Environments’. This is dedicated to recent developments in learner-centred approaches and the impact of technology on learning and teaching inside and outside the language classroom. You can read more about it and how to submit a proposal here.

Another exciting area, and to my mind related to the above, is that of the role of the learner in managing their learning with technology. Glenn Stockwell and I now convene the AILA Research Network for ‘Technology and the Language Learner’, which explores the range of technologies and pedagogies designed to give more recognition to the active role learners play both inside and outside the classroom. These include social computing, tandem learning, the use of informal media such as computer games, and the use of situated learning, for example with mobile devices. The website for the AILA ReN is available here. Please visit these to learn about upcoming seminars, conferences and publications.

Please consider attending our symposium at the upcoming AILA conference in Beijing in August this year. You can find more information about the conference here: http://www.aila2011.org/en/default.asp

Innovation in Language Learning & Teaching special issue
Cynthia White and I have recently completed editing a special issue of Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching on the topic of Teacher Education and CALL. More information can be found here.

Interview
At the Wireless Ready conference in Nagoya recently Darren Elliott interviewed me about the topics above. You can watch the interview here.

An Interview With Hayo Reinders from darren elliott on Vimeo.

The English Language Self Access Centre at the University of Auckland.