Instructional Module Two

Keypals

With careful organization and planning, keypal projects are an excellent way to link technology to the curriculum in a meaningful manner.  Keypal projects offer the opportunity for the classroom doors to open and for students to explore the world through cyberspace.  For some teachers this can be a frightening thought and may feel reluctant to explore this avenue.  For other teachers, they've seen or experienced the excitement and motivation of a successful project and want to do more.

In order to plan a successful keypal project there are a number of aspects to consider:

1.  A keypal project is NOT the same as a penpal project and shouldn't be planned as such.  The obvious difference is the speed that messages can be exchanged.  Keypal projects offer much more flexibility in the purpose of the exchange, the number of exchanges, and the number of projects to be involved with.

2.  Outline clear objectives for the project.  

• How long will the exchange go on for?
• How many email exchanges do you expect?
• What kind of information do you want exchanged and collected?

3.  If the keypal project involves other students make contact with the teacher.  When both teachers understand the objectives of the project and have clear expectations that are effectively communicated to the students, the success of the project is almost guaranteed.  

4.  Spend time developing your email skills and your students email skills.  The "Guided Practice" section of this module offers links to different sites that can help to improve your email skills.  Some of the sites may be appropriate for older students.  Encourage your students to email each other.  This is an excellent way to practice emailing in a controlled setting.  Problems and solutions can be addressed with the whole class.

5.  Educate yourself and your students about netiquette and safety on the Internet.  Post netiquette and safety expectations in a highly visual place for your students to refer to frequently.

6.  Develop project expectations with your students so each understands their personal commitment to the project.  Clearly communicate expected or hopeful  project outcomes before the project begins.

7.  Students should not communicate with project participants outside of the project using home computers.

8.  Have each student keep a paper copy of all their personal outgoing and incoming email related to project.  Some of the exchanges can be highlighted and discussed away from the computers with the whole class.

9.  More Than Just Key Pals  Visit this excellent site for more detailed information on establishing a key pal program. 

Keypal Project Ideas

The curriculum for your grade is a starting point for designing your own keypal projects.  After this, your imagination and creativity are your only limitations.  Here are some suggestions to spark your imagination on developing a project.

  Finding Keypals 

• There are many web sites on the Internet to find keypals if you are looking for international keypals.  The best sites have teachers register and state the purpose they hope to achieve for the exchange.  The teachers make contact first then decide if they are compatible for a classroom exchange.  A list of keypal sites can be found in the Web Resources section of this web site.  
• Check out this Keypal web site designed by a Canadian teacher.  He explains in detail how to sign up for a keypal project using Epals.
• Keypals don't always have to be in another country or across the ocean.  Keypals can formed with another classroom in your school division or even with another class in your school.

  Ask An Expert

"Ask An Expert" sites offer an excellent opportunity for students to ask questions related to units of study in the classroom.  A word of caution:  Many of the "experts" willingly give their time on a volunteer basis.  Don't have each student send a question.  Have your whole class decide what are the most important questions and send one email.  Also, make sure your questions aren't easily answered in a book or on the Internet.

  Travel Brochure

Have your students create a travel brochure based on questions and information received from a keypal exchange. The travel brochure may be about the keypal's school or about the town they live in.  Establish the essential questions and components of the brochure before the exchange.  Developing an assessment rubric will enable your students to understand the expectations of the project.

 

  Virtual Biographies

Develop virtual biographies about each keypal.  Keep in mind Internet safety rules and don't include personal information such as last name, address, phone numbers.  Include list of favourites, personal interests, dislikes,  and physical descriptions.  Have your students draw a picture of their keypal.  Scan the picture and email it as an attachment to the keypal.

 

  Book Review & Discussion

Organize for your class and another class to read the same novel.  Exchange reviews on specific chapters and encourage email discussions regarding the book.

 

  Impersonate a Literary Character

Organize a keypal project based on the students assuming the role of a literary character that the keypals would be able to recognize.  Perhaps fairy tale characters, cartoon characters, or characters from a book might be used.  Students could exchange a series of emails based on pre-determined scenarios or questions.

 

  Chain Story

This activity can be done as a whole class or individually, depending on the age of your students and your expectations for the project.  Start with an opening line or scenario and email it to the keypal.  The keypal adds to the story and sends it back.  The exchange can go back and forth for a pre-determined amount of time.

 

  Writers Workshop Exchange

Keypals can offer an excellent opportunity to exchange student written stories.  The exchange can focus on a conferencing aspect of writers workshop where students receive feedback on their writing from peers. 

 

  Email a Senior

Make contact with a senior citizen's home and organize an email exchange.  This can offer a wonderful opportunity for both students and seniors to exchange ideas and stories.