Email in the Elementary Classroom

We talked a little at our last meeting about how email accounts for students could be beneficial instructionally. Below are just a few notes that I jotted down (I also mentioned these in an earlier post). I’m sure there are many more instructional uses for student email, and I’ll look forward to seeing your ideas!

Reasons for email in elementary:
• Literacy (read, write, type) Any time we ask students to convey thoughts into words they are working on their literacy skills.
• Peer review / peer collaboration projects
• Mentoring between older/younger students
• Pen pals (with immediate feedback)
• Contact experts

Here are a few TEKS that I think could be addressed using email. What others do you think would apply?

• LA TEKS:

o Writing/purposes. The student writes for a variety of audiences and purposes and in a variety of forms.
o Write to communicate with a variety of audiences.
o Writing/grammar/usage. The student applies standard grammar and usage to communicate clearly and effectively in writing.
o The student produces visual images, messages, and meanings that communicate with others.
o Produce communications using technology or appropriate media.

• TECH APPS TEKS:
o Solving problems. The student uses research skills and electronic communication, with appropriate supervision, to create new knowledge. The student is expected to:
o use communication tools to participate in group projects
o participate with electronic communities as a learner, initiator, contributor, or mentor.
o Communication. The student formats digital information for appropriate and effective communication.

Marco Torres

Even though he says he doesn't like to do presentations like this, he is really terrific.

He showed us how to compose music using Garage Band. That was amazing! He tied it in with math objectives, which I appreciated.

His big points were about making learning relevant, meaningful and important for kids and about the need to change more than the medium we use in the classroom.

Another neat part was that after each example, he told us what the student who created the project is doing now. One is directing videos for iPhone another is an administrator for Rock the Vote with MTV.

Chatting outside of the Exhibit Hall

...Telina, Marilyn, Jannette, and Deborah...

Marilyn Mutchler (teacher from Keyes ES) and I had just finished our presentation and were heading to the exhibit hall when we ran into Jannette (from Keyes ES) and Telina & Deborah (from Brown ES). We were chatting about this blog, and I decided to show them how fast and easy it is to upload photos from my phone by taking a picture of them. Now I'm kicking my self for not taking more pictures of Irving people when I ran into them today. Sorry, guys! I wasn't thinking.

Let's Chat about Email

Another session I attended was about getting your district ready for student email. Since we are just getting started with ePals, I thought it would be a helpful discussion. It turned out to be specifically about Gaggle.net, which was a little unfortunate, but he did present some good things to think about with student email.

We are going to be discussing some of those same ideas next week at the ITS meeting. Things like filter levels, access levels (who will students be allowed to email), content monitoring, etc. Plus, there are potential concerns about abuse, overuse, harassment, etc., to consider.

But email can be a powerful literacy tool. Students will be reading, writing and typing with email. Any time we ask students to convey their thoughts into words and sentences we are helping improve their literacy. Plus, there will be opportunities for peer review of work and collaboration between students across classes, grade levels, campuses, and potential across the world. Emailing takes the benefits of having a pen pal to another level since the information exchange is almost instantaneous rather than separated by weeks of waiting. And email opens up the possibilities for contacting experts with questions or to request information. There are definitely some concerns, but I think there can be considerable benefits.

What are your thoughts on student email accounts?

Talk about Overload...

I really appreciate the comments that Chris made to an earlier post about how a conference like this can be pretty overwhelming. (The Matrix analogy was perfect!) I have been taking notes like crazy all day (even in some sessions that I didn’t think were all that great). I'll never look at most of those notes again, but I think it is just that multimodal reinforcement of listening, mentally paraphrasing, and writing down what I hear that helps it stick in my head a little better.

There is no way to take everything in at an event like this, but if we each come away with a couple of really good,useable ideas, then it has been a worthwhile experience. Then…if we SHARE those ideas with each other, like through a blog or something, then we can all benefit from the best of our unique experiences.

Segway to Lorie and Teresa...

What a cool way to tour the capital city!

I was taking my pic of the capitol when Lorie and Teresa (techie teacher from T. Haley) rolled up. They are already impressive Segway pilots! Their guide was friendly even though I was a little slow to snap my picture. I can't wait to hear how they liked their tour using this trendy transportation technology...

Speaking of the Capitol Building...

I think the Texas State Capitol Building is just beautiful! I enjoy seeing it every time I come to Austin. I remember seeing it for the first time when I was pretty young and being more than a little surprised that it really is pink! There is something regal about the dome and column structure, and just knowing that this building has been around since 1885 adds a little sense of awe to its presence.