ePals is a tool that is specialized for collaborative learning by connecting one classroom to another that is thousands miles away. The key features of ePals are that it provides school mail and school blog, and matches classrooms with the same project or learning interests. ePals’ email and blog have the same functions as the other email portals and blogs BUT are more applicable in classrooms with the following reasons:
- It has language translation function of 8 languages
- Teachers and school administrators can monitor students’ emails or postings
- Through ePals, parents also monitor and see the results’ of school activities
As a result, students can exchanges their ideas and knowledge with the other students in the world in a guided path.
In addition, ePals enables learners to develop autonomous learning habit. On the Web page, it provides 7 areas of subjects that students can work in collaboration (e.g. global worming). One think that really helpful for teachers and students is
For teachers: Learning sequence is given
For students: Relevant information and links are given
With the sequence and the information, a classroom connects to other classroom to share their learning experiences and information. Students can also discuss in an open forum for specific ideas and interests related to the topic they are learning.
In my teaching
While exploring ePals, I thought this tool could be a wonderful resource for Content-Based language teaching and learning (CBL). In CBL, content is carried with the means of language and language is acquired by learning the content. Even though ePals has a language translation function, posts and exchanges are written trough the medium of English. This prevailing use of English might pose some problems for non-English speaking classrooms;
however, it is very feasible for language learners, especially in CBL classrooms. ePals will be great motivation for students to keep learning in both language and content area.
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