ePals

 

Epals is an online tool that allows students to find and blog with other students from all over the world.  This learning resource provides a safe way for schools all over the world to connect and develop collaborative projects.  Classrooms can connect with each other by location using a map, or by area of study through searching relevant topics.  Teachers can easily translate text, monitor email, and utilize tutorials and manuals.  Epals incorporates the use of multiple tools such as movie maker, blogger, National Geographic, Google Earth, and email to support project creation.  The interactive games and tutorials look educational and should be considered for the classroom.  Of course, the tool’s ability to connect with students’ peers all over the world would be beneficial in and ESL classroom.  A class could be split into small groups, and each group could vote on a topic of interest to explore.  Each group could then develop their project with students from almost anywhere in the world.  Students can have access to funds of knowledge that are limitless, and acquire knowledge that would be otherwise unattainable.