ePals

The technology that I decided to learn more about was ePals. ePals is named the "global platform for learning online." 200 territories, including teachers, students, etc. are using epals to collaborate with one another. ePals is both safe and protected and connects individuals globally via ePals school mail, ePals school blog and classroom match to name a few.

Anyone interested in SchoolMail can set up a free account that will allow them to have home to school connections, which reinforces in-class learning ...
Features of SchoolMail include: 1. inbox, delete box, sent box (similar to many e-mails accounts that we are already familiar with) 2. Commands such as read, compose, reply, forward, forward to all, and print messages 3. Ability to add attachments and address book names and start email study groups 4. Instant language translation in 8 languages 5. Virus protection and scanning 6. Anti-spam filtration 7. Spell checker
8. Manuals and tutorials.

Check out another capability: School BLOG
This allows students to create their own personalized domain name...there are separate areas of the blog for classroom only, parents only and public..it is easy to search past postings, there are powerpoint presentation capabilities as well as audio and video streaming...students have the ability to submit work online...teachers can review and track student participation and achievement, review and delete unwanted or inappropriate info, post important school information, including school closings, important upcoming events,etc..they can also provide permission slips online and showcase student work! These are some of the many capabilities!

Classroom match allows classrooms to connect from all areas of the world to exchange learning experiences. ePals classroom match lets you select learning exchanges with other ePals classrooms according to student's needs and academic targets, and lets you navigate and track projects through a classroom profile.
You can find a classroom in several ways, but I have included some below:
~search on a topic or interest
~use maps
~see recent joiners

This is mainly used in schools so everything it offers can be incorporated... students can use different types of maps to gather information about where their ePals live..after the lesson, they will learn the ease of using specific maps to find specific info.

This is SOOOO NEAT! you can share so much! There is even an epals earth with added videos and all sorts of things! It is hard to narrow this site down in order to explain it all so check it out! students can tell world leaders what they think about several earth issues (global warming) they can share digital stories, add videos that have translation available, you can search ePals projects based on all kinds of different subjects and connect with a classroom to work together... SOO MUCH! very, very cool.