Activity Structures: Interpersonal exchanges

based on the work of Dr. Judi Harris

This is probably the oldest type of educational telecomputing in which individuals talk with other individuals or groups, or groups talk with groups. It can be done through asynchronous communications such as E-mail, or through synchronous real-time text (chat) or audio/videoconferencing. There are currently six types of learning activity structures that are based on interpersonal exchanges.

1- Keypals

Students are paired in order to communicate by E-mail. The activities are often similar to surface mail pen-paling and often lead to learning about each other, either personally or culturally. Topics discussed often chosen by students themselves.

E-pals
Key-Pal Registries

2- Global Classrooms

Group to group exchanges, especially when there is a curricular emphasis, can become fascinating collaborative explorations. With Global Classrooms, two or more classes study a common topic together for a limited period of time, as you would study a topic in your own classroom.

Math Around Us
KidWriters , Take a special look at the Oil Spill Mystery
Virtual Tour
Newsletter Around the World

3- Electronic Appearances

Special "guests", specialists or simply special people, respond to students for a short period of time. These "guests" could be authors, scientists, mathematicians, elderly people, ... anyone who can contribute to an inquiry teachers and students are developing in class.

Chat avec Zlata
The Future Wave of School Volunteerism

4- TeleMentoring

Differing from Electronic Appearances, here a student communicates with a subject matter expert, a teacher, or a tutor who accepts to accompany and to help him/her for a longer period of time. The exchange with the subject matter expert is more extended and takes the form of a teleapprenticeship

Writers in Electronic Residence
Electronic Emissary

5- Question and Answer Activities

Very short contacts with subject matter experts who answer specific questions. There are already many such services available on the Internet: Ask Dr. Math, Ask a Geologist, etc. But a class can also take on the challenge to become an "expert" in a certain area and accepts to answer questions from their peers.

Pitsco: Ask an expert
Ask a Mad Scientist
Ask Dr. Math

Nagano at School

The Great Plexer Challenge : the expert challenges the students
Sometimes it really CAN take a Rocket Scientist

 

 

6- Impersonations

In these projects. Any or all participants communicate with each other or with someone "in character". It can be as simple as little ones writing to Santa Claus only to have older students reply using Santa's voice. When students can become on-line characters, you can develop a rich and motivational activity that lets them explore many topics in a dynamic and interactive context.

Folklore Letter Writing Activity
Victorian Letters and Lives a project in which Charles Dickens answers questions about his life and work in the London of Queen Victoria's time.
La vie devant soi (Project in French)
Letters to Santa Claus