TIPS Volume 3, No. 6
February, 2003

     Grade Level Key 
     = Elem, = Middle
     = High, = Teachers

The ability of technology to connect people is the purpose of this space. This month, we re-examine the process of connecting class-to-class and student-to-student through email. Be sure to visit the companion story in Through a Student's Eyes for examples of actual student-sent emails!

Finding other classes with which your students can converse is becoming increasingly easy. There are professional online services which facilitate such connections (two are listed below). However, the global Exchange directory provides the ability to easily contact and cultivate class-to-class communication inside Kentucky! Right now, Glendover Elementary classes are conversing with schools in Pike County, Muhlenburg County, Hardin County, Christian County and Graves County!

Here's how Leanna did it...

"...After a quick tutorial on the regions of Kentucky and what counties are where, I sent a general e-mail to all the teachers in one county of each region. If I didn't hear from anyone in that county, I e-mailed another. Needless to say, I got lots of e-mail for awhile! After we narrowed the list to 4th grade classes, I e-mailed the teachers. Their classes are using the teacher's e-mail account..."

Below are services which will extend your search outside of Kentucky:

http://www.epals.com/ ePals - a clearinghouse for email contact student-to-student, class-to-class, or school-to-school - has been featured in TIPS before, and has been used in a variety of settings.

http://www.teaching.com/KeyPals/ KeyPals - Teaching.Com sponsors this initiative. It includes many of the same features as ePals, but with a focus more on collaborative projects.