Karina Silva (2013) is an Instructional Technology Specialist at Iowa State University (ISU). Prior to that, she was an interim director and a lecturer in the Intensive English and Orientation Program (IEOP) at ISU. She teaches English classes in IEOP and courses in IEOP teacher training programs. She has also taught a graduate courses in the English department. Her research interests include teacher education, Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), distance education, and the use of virtual worlds for language learning and teaching. She has published papers in TESL-EJ and the Journal of Digital Learning and Teacher Education. She is currently researching about university undergraduate students’ needs to succeed in their freshman year at ISU.