ePals - Global Learning Community

Are you familiar with ePals? ePals is not a new website, they have been around for about 12 years. However, ePals is one of those FREE websites that just keeps getting better and better....so it's worth a tip!! ePals is a very easy to use global collaboration site that allows teachers and students a safe and secure way to connect with classrooms around the world or just around the corner! By using the Classroom Match feature, teachers can choose to connect with either a classroom or a project. Search projects by topic of interest, find a classroom using maps, or submit your own project in hopes that another classroom wants to connect with you!! Getting started is as easy as setting up an account, and either clicking the Classroom Search button or the Connect Tab located at the top of the page. It's that simple!! Please note, that ePal accounts do require an email address and students under 13 will require parent permission. However, in addition to their Classroom Match component, ePals also offers free and safe SchoolMail and SchoolBlogging. You will want to keep parent permission forms on file and I recommend that the letter describe the project, its' purpose, the time frame, and its' connection to the learning standards.

To learn more about ePals, click this link that takes you to their ePals overview page:
http://www.epals.com/groups/about/pages/epals-overview.aspx
While here, take a minute to watch the "What is ePals and How Does it Work Video", located in the lower right corner.

Below are a couple examples of how ESM teachers are currently using.....or hope to use ePals with their students!!

Stevi Suib, a high school Spanish teacher , has been using ePals for years. She currently is involved in a project with an ESL classroom from the Dominican Republic. Her students will be corresponding in Spanish with the students from the Dominican writing back in English. She also plans on sending recorded audio files of her students speaking the language in the near future!! How cool is that!!

Kevin Michaud, an 8th grade social studies teacher, submitted his own project that is looking for a classroom to collaborate with on the book entitled "Flag of Our Fathers" that he is having his students read.

Paul Holzwarth, a 5th grade teacher at Fremont Elementary, is having his students collaborate with kids from the Cree Indian Nation in Northern Manitoba. His kids are very excited!!

If you too are an ePals user, and would like to share your experience with other teachers....let me know and I can spread the word!!