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The InterAge CyberPal (IACP) project came about through a desire to encourage mature adults to mentor children using their Internet skills. At this time, the project links them with children in Tucson/Pima County School districts. As more adults volunteer for the program, it is hoped that IACP will be made available to classrooms anywhere in the United States.
All correspondence is carefully monitored by the teacher and/or parent team/facilitators. The response of the children has been heartwarming. In Classroom 1, the adults were able to help the students improve their written communication by example. The CyberPals shared in a Geography project titled "Famous Places" and then helped the students write a research paper from the information found in reference books and on the Internet. During the Literature segment, the children read Aesop's Fables and discussed the moral of a story with their adult CyberPal and then wrote and e-mailed modern versions of the Fable. Last semester, the children in Classroom 1 played word games with their adult CyberPals, including learning about synonyms and homonyms. In addition, through the exchange of personal messages, they truly became CyberPals.
On February 5, 1998 a second classroom of 26 students at Reynolds Elementary School began exchanging e-mail letters with volunteer mature adults. This turned out to be a "control" because it was not curriculum -based and proved that the structure in Classroom 1 is crucial to meeting the goals of the IACP Classroom Program.
Now that you know a little about our beginnings, here is an update of
where we are today....
We are ADULTS age 40 and older with access to computers with modems who know how or want to learn to use e-mail. No past teaching experience is necessary.
We are 10 and 11 year-old STUDENTS in a public school.
We are TEACHERS who are interested in improving students communication and language skills through e-mail correspondence with caring CyberPal adults.
We are PARENTS who facilitate and monitor the exchanges of e-mail messages between the CyberPal adults and students.
WHAT DO WE DO?
The InterAge CyberPals Classroom program links students with adults who want to make a difference in the lives of young people; helps students develop skills in communication, grammar, spelling, etc. by example; and creates bonds which may be lacking in the lives of some children.
WHY DO WE DO IT?
To create intergenerational relationships while focusing on the curriculum and mutual interests of the students and mature adults while providing an opportunity for students to become more proficient in the use of e-mail technology and to promote the use and enjoyment of written communication.
HOW DO WE DO IT?
Students and CyberPal adults write to each other individually by the use of curriculum-based teacher/facilitator monitored e-mail that is sent to and from the classroom.
WHERE and WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE?
Students correspond using a computer in the classroom or computer lab; the CyberPal adults communicate from the comfort of their own homes, offices, etc. It takes place during the school year only.
IACP MISSION STATEMENT.
The mission of Cyberspace Seniors and the InterAge CyberPals
Classroom Program is to encourage children in the use of communication
and language skills using the technology that will be an important part
of their lives in the 21st century and help them become contributing members
of society.
Adults from all walks of life are welcome to join the InterAge CyberPals Classroom Program. There are no dues or memberships fees. Adults need not have any teaching experience as all necessary instruction is provided by e-mail.
The InterAge CyberPals Classroom Program is overseen by Martha R. Gore, MLS, recently retired literary agent; Barbara S. Soto, now in her 30th year as a classroom teacher, and Ronald L. Schenk, retired computer operations manager at IBM.
We look forward to having you join us in this worthwhile adventure.
Questions or comments to:
Martha R. (Martye) Gore
Administrator & List manager, CyberSpace Seniors' InterAge CyberPals
Classroom Project
E-Mail: ladybug@azstarnet.com
CyberSpace Seniors http://ro.com/~rschenk/CSSIndex.html
Arizona State University link: http://aztec.asu.edu/cyberspaceseniors/
CPAW, Computer Pals Across
the World
cpaw@mail.ucf.edu
A Global Educational Electronic
Network
Serving Teachers, Students
and the Community since 1983
"Hands On Around Our World"