project

E-Mail
to
Learning

Components of Project
Subject	Purpose	Context
Time Frame	Learner Description	Learner Outcomes
Project Description	Assessment	Evaluation

Subject/Content Area

The following curriclum areas will be covered during this project:

Language Arts- Reading, Writing and Literature
Technology
Research

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Purpose/Goal

The purpose of this project is to introduce students to the use of e-mail and the Internet. Students will learn how to use these tools to communicate information and also as a source of information. The project will involve collaboration between students in the classroom, students in other Third Grade classrooms, and with people contacted on the Internet.

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Context/Setting/Enviroment

Students today are growing up in world where information is constantly being updated faster than it can be published in books. To help students to be able to access the latest information, they need to have a working knowledge of technology. Students need to know how to use the computer as a tool to get information and also to dissemminate information. Students need to become problem-solvers and to be able to guide their own learning.

The availability of technology for the project is one computer in my classroom hooked up to the Internet, and one computer in the Learning Center that is also connected. There is no one in the Learning Center that understands the technology to monitor students if they use the computer in the Learning Center. This limited availability could cause some delays in some aspects of the project. Also, the inability to get on-line sometimes could also be a hinderance.

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Time Frame

This project is being set-up with four different phases.

The first phase which is the introduction to e-mail will last approximately one week.
Phase two will involve students having an e-mail pal with a student from another school. This phase will be ongoing throughout the year.
The third phase will involve the study of an author's works, a search of the Internet for information about the author, and then communicating with that author through e-mail. This phase will involve studying a different author each month.
The final phase will involve using the Internet as a tool to get information about topics in the curriculum and/or of student interest. This phase will be ongoing throughout the year.

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Learner Description

The students that this project is designed for are in Third Grade at Dieterich School in Aurora East School District #131. The class size is approximately 27 students. The range of abilities is from students who attend the gifted program to students working below grade level. Very few of the students have computers in their home, and some students have never used a computer before entering my classroom. The students come from middle to low income families. The ethnic background of the students are white, black, and hispanic (with some having very limited English).

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Learner Outcomes

The Aurora School District 131 Learner Outcomes that are incorporated in this project are:

Reading - As a result of their schooling, Students will be able to analyze, interpret and evaluate written material in the content areas andin every day life situations in order to gather and apply information.
Writing - As a result of their schooling, students will be able to communicate informatiion and ideas for various purposes and audiences in an organized format for use in academic and real-life situations.
Literature - All students will be able to use various forms of literrary works in order to evaluate the relationships and patterns of different cultures, eras, and ideas for interpreting academic and real life situations.
Technology - As a result of their schooling, students will be able to use the appropriate technology in academic and real-life situations.
Reasearch - Students will be able to use a variety of resources to find information on given topic.

Student Objectives

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Project Description

Lesson Outlines for the Project

Phase One: Learning E-Mail -Student Pages

Phase Two: E-Mail Pals -Student Pages

Phase 3: Communicating with an Author -Student Pages

Phase Four: The Internet as a Resource-Student Pages

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Assessment

Students will be assessed on their ability to use the computer, being able to send and receive e-mail, and being able to use a search tool to find information on the Internet.

Assessement Rubric

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Evaluation

This project allows students many opportunities for learning. First, it allows students to learn how to use the computer and technology as a resource tool to communicate with both the receiving and the sending of information. Next, the project allows students to become more computer and technology literate with the actual using of the computer. It also allows the students to collaborate with students in the classroom and with other students from other schools to get information. Finally, this project by the third and fourth phase allows students to direct their own learning by what each student chooses to learn about a certain author, topic, and/or interest.

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Last updated on May 10,1996 by Diane Backes

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Assessment