Students stay in touch on-line

By MAUREEN MCGUINNESS- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Katie Rose and her grandmother like to share snack time.

In years past, the two probably couldn't have the time together since Katie is a student at Holy Spirit School in East Greenbush while her grandmother lives in Florida.

But third grade teacher Becca James has made the connection possible by utilizing technology. With the help of an email account, family members of students can send a note or warm wishes that students will read when they take their mid-morning break.

You've got mail

"They like the connection," Ms. James said. "They're excited when they have mail. They love to open them."

Students receive everything from electronic greeting cards to notes reminding them to bring specific assignments home. Katie's email allows her to bridge the miles between her and her grandmother.

"When my grandma sends me email, I'm happy because I don't see her a lot," she said.

Katie also gets the opportunity to let her grandmother know how much she is loved. "I tell her I can't wait to see her and how I'll be happy to see her in the summer."

On-line contact

While previous generations of children got excited when the postman delivered a letter for them, Holy Spirit third graders' hearts start racing when the computer states, "You have mail."

Sam Oswald enjoys receiving email while he nibbles on fruit or the occasional cookie. "My mom sends me cards," he said. "They're usually active ones."

Carly Vallee receives messages from her parents, sister and brother, and friends. Not only does she use email at school, but she is proficient at sending it from home as well.

"I always want to see if my friends are online so I can instant message them," she said. "Instead of calling my friends, I email them."

Techno-talk

Ms. James said email keeps students in touch when they are absent. It is not unusual for Get Well wishes to be sent over email, or for the homebound student to check in via email.

Using technology has also assisted parent-teacher communication. Parents can email Ms. James with concerns or questions they have about their child's progress. Problems, she said, can be worked out without playing phone tag with parents.

This snack time effort also gives students a chance to practice computer skills like cutting and pasting, scanning, and keyboarding, Ms. James said.

Technology, she said, is integrated into the curriculum as well, with students using the computer for reports and utilizing the internet for research.

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