Question for Teachers about pen-pals / e-pals

[SpecialT]

My name is Nellie Gardner, and I am a student at MCC - Maple Woods. I am currently going to school to obtain my AAT and am enrolled in a “Technology for Teachers” class. Right now we are exploring different ways to engage children in learning by allowing them to use technology. I think that an “e-pal” would be a great way for students to learn about different cultures and countries. I had a few questions about the process, if you wouldn’t mind taking a moment to answer them:
1.) Do you link students up with certain pals, or do they find a pal on their own?
2.) Do you (or parents) monitor communications between your students and their pal?
3.) Do you use this tool to encourage students to learn more about other cultures and countries?
4.) When you use this site, are students required and graded on participation, or is it optional?
5.) What grades do you begin using “e-pals”?

[silvana]

Hi there,
I run a penpal club in the UK we write email video link and podcast to each other you can find our site here
http://pirates5.edublogs.org

1. You do all the linking that way you can be sure who you are linking your students to.
2. You must gain parental permission before you embark on the project since it is likely your epals will exchange some personal info including photos over the internet and you must have an internet safety policy.
3. You monitor ingoing and outgoing mail.
4. We embark on standard projects so currently we are doiung Easter around the world through our penpals
5. I penpal with students fro n 7 to 12 with not much difficulty. It depends on the children and their needs
I hope this was helpful

[chellerenees66]

I just started this the past year! I required it for all students and I insisted it be "pen pals" because letter writing is a lost art for students these days! I do read the letters going out! And we share the letters that come in! I am still new to this too, but so far this has worked!

[samandellie04]

I would love to find pen pals for my students, but have no idea where to start? Is it better to do my snail mail, email, or both?
Where do you find students to correspond with? How do you monitor contact? I'll have about 50 students, so it is a large group and I would love to contact students in other states or countries.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Susan

[herdgrad]

Look at the pen pal support forum....lots of people are looking to hook up. This site is great for connecting people.

[herdgrad]

After reading my response I probably should tell you that I was talking about THIS site (teacherscorner)! Just go to the main menu and click on pen pal support. Scroll down to all the different forums of people looking to connect. Also you can go to the map at
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/penpals/index.php
hope this cleared up my last post :)

[Flower Child]

I have tried to list my name on the penpal map page. It does not show up. Are we still posting names?

[herdgrad]

It takes about a day.