Jen Pohl
SLM 521- Elective 13
Key Pals and E-Pals
Email is a great tool to stay connected
with people and a quick and easy way to communicate. Everyone uses it; but does it have a place in
the classroom? Actually, yes! Here are some ideas on how to use email effectively
for instructional uses in a 6th grade
1.
Communicate
with classmates.
Students
might not be able to talk with others in their class due to time constraints or
because they are not friends with each other and it would not be considered “cool.”
With email, students are able to talk
about class, assignments, and other related things freely and whenever they
feel the need.
2. Email authors.
Students
are constantly studying and reading the work of these creatures and most have
never had actual contact with one. When
they email authors, they are able to get a peek into the creative process or
see that they are normal human beings (for the most part at least!).
3. Book Talks
Email
is a wonderful way to conduct a book talk without ever being in the classroom. A teacher could start a question/topic and
students can talk with each other about the book. This would also alleviate the stress of doing
it in a classroom setting with 30 pairs of eyes staring at you while they are “hanging”
on your every word.
4. Extra Credit Assignments
Students
are constantly looking for extra credit (even on the last day of the quarter!). A teacher could email the whole class an
extra credit assignment near the beginning of the term and give a due date near
the end of the term, where they could email the assignment back to the teacher. The
assignment would most likely deal with technology or the Internet. It would help students practice their email and
Internet skills.
5. Connect with others across
the country
Email
lets people communicate who would never get a chance to communicate. Students can get in touch with others in
other places or schools and compare what they are learning. They can recommend books, help with homework,
and learn more about their area of the country and compare it to their own
lives.
Recommended Email Sites!
This website offers an extensive list of
“experts” for students to ask questions to and also provides students an inside
look at some professions that they might never encounter in their lives, such
as an author or an astronaut.
Date
Visited: April 15, 2006
A project is given, or suggested, on
this website and then students are able to share it with others around the
country and the world in order to compare results. In this case, the project is about themselves
and their future goals. Registration is
required, but it is free.
Date
Visited: April 15, 2006