Monthly Digest

PIE SIG News Updates

Announcements, Podcast Releases, Call for Papers & Reports


📋 In This Issue


🧠 A. Joint Publication Call for Papers: PIE SIG & MBE SIG

The PIE SIG has partnered with the JALT Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) SIG once again following our successful joint issues in 2024 and 2025 (see previous issue). We have agreed to collaborate on upcoming issues this academic year:

  • Focus Topic: Filmmaking and Podcasting (Deadline: September 15 for the October issue).
  • Contributor Slots: Up to 5 PIE authors. Earlier submissions have a higher chance of selection.
  • Volunteer Update: SIG member Sean Toland has already committed to submitting an article!
📝 Submit Your Paper


🎙️ B. PIE SIG Podcast Ep. 8: Just Beyond the Comfort Zone

How do you stretch your comfort zone as a teacher and as a student?
That is the core question explored in Episode 8, featuring educator Heather Kretschmer!

How to support the podcast:
  • Listen and follow on your favorite podcast platform
  • Leave a rating or comment to help others discover it
  • Share the episode with colleagues interested in performance in education

New episodes are released monthly! Thank you for your continued support.
— Darren Kinsman, Host and Producer


✨ C. New Podcast Series: PIE SIG Podcast+

We are thrilled to launch PIE SIG Podcast+, a new series focused on exclusive interviews connected directly with PIE SIG events and conferences!

In Episode 1, we speak with Dr. Thomas Robb—Plenary Speaker for the PIE SIG STEAM Conference in Okinawa, the first JALT Vice President, Chair of The Extensive Reading Foundation, and Editor of TESL-EJ.

🎧 Listen to PSP+ Ep. 1 with Dr. Thomas Robb (23:51)


📊 D. Composition Research Project: Call for Participation

Proposed following the PIE Conference in Okinawa, this research project investigates student implementation of AI feedback in composition classes.

Project Overview & Methodology

Grammarly and AI tools help edit writing, but students often accept suggestions without processing the error. This study tests a mechanism where students review ChatGPT-generated "before-and-after" error analyses from Grammarly-checked texts, followed by brief automated multiple-choice quizzes to measure retention.

🤝 Want to participate with your class?
If you are interested in volunteering your composition classes, please reply to this update email with your Name, School Name, and Number of Students.


📸 E. PIE in Nagoya 2025 Highlights

The 3rd Annual PIE in Nagoya Conference was an intimate gathering filled with engaging, high-quality presentations—including many from first-time PIE presenters!

🖼️ View Event Photos 📄 Read Full Conference Report


🎉 F. PIE SIG Connected at JALT2025!

At JALT2025 in Tokyo, the Performance in Education SIG made a strong impact! Conference Chair David Kluge shared: “The room was small and many forum presentations were movement-based workshops, making the room fill with excitement and laughter. It was magical.”

Sunday Forum Workshop Presenters:

Ashley Ford-Mihashi
Voice for mood & group story reading
Brian Gallagher
Physicality of pronunciation
Gordon Rees
Practical voice projection tips
Dawn Kobayashi
Tableaux for dialogue writing
Kevin Bergman
Total Physical Response workshop
Kim Rockell
Percussion & expressive movement

Cheers,
David Kluge