Broaden your Horizons: Educational Networking By Alicia Davis EDLD 5362-ET8008

Table of Contents  Educational Networks  What is ePals?  Why choose ePals?  How could ePals impact my students’ learning?  What is Lesson Gateway?  How could Lesson Gateway benefit my students?  How could Lesson Gateway impact my students’ learning?  Why join an Educational Network?  References

Educational Networks  ePals  Lesson Gateway

What is ePals?  is a Global Community of collaborative learners, teachers, and academic experts in 200 countries and territories.  provides Connections to students, classes, and school districts worldwide that are safe and secure.  is the safe and protected solution for linking classes, schools, and school districts globally via ePals SchoolMail™, ePals SchoolBlog™, and Classroom Match. ePals SchoolMail™ePals SchoolBlog™Classroom MatchePals SchoolMail™ePals SchoolBlog™Classroom Match ePals. (2010). ePals Overview. Retrieved on January 25, 2010, from

Why choose ePals?  Collaborate with classrooms worldwide using Web 2.0 tools  Utilize embedded language translator program provided in 72 languages for exchange between students  Participate in project- based learning  Build literacy skills with cross-cultural exchange between a mentor pen pal in another country

How ePals could impact my students’ learning?  Foster a sense of collaborative learning  Exposure of various social networking skills with students of different cultures  “Reinforce and extend the learning with in-class book discussions and related instruction in genre and literacy skills” ePals. (2010). In2books. Retrieved on January 25, 2010, from

What is Lesson Gateway?  “…a free online community where K-12 teachers find, share, rate, and review the best online educational resources on the internet.” Lesson Gateway. (2010).

How can Lesson Gateway benefit my students?  Offers extensive databases that will enable my students access to various Web 2.0 technologies  “Offers lesson plans, online student activities, teaching tips, reference information, etc., that can be used in the classroom”  Free online resources are categorized by content areas and recommended by teachers according to student engagement Lesson Gateway. (2010). FAQ. Retrieved on January 25, 2010, from

How Lesson Gateway could impact my students’ learning?  Students would become engaged in technology activities to perform higher-order thinking skills for problem solving tasks  Students will be provided additional educational resources to assist them with Web 2.0 technologies such as podcasts, wikis, and blogs for collaborative group projects  “Teachers..have the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience to benefit students and teachers, not only in their classroom, but throughout the world” Lesson Gateway. (2010). FAQ. Retrieved on January 25, 2010, from

Why join an Educational Network?  “In order to keep up with the growing demands on them, statewide educational networks will need to be expanded and upgraded in the next several years. It is essential for leaders in education and government to agree that statewide educational networks are a vital part of the state’s future.” (Matthews, J.B. (2004, April). Why Statewide Educational Networks are Important to State and Educational Leaders. Southern Regional Educational Board. Retrieved on January 25, 2010, from  “We all have high expectations of what the Internet can do for our educational institutions. While we all agree that e-learning offers great promise, we must be certain how to achieve it. Clearly, if we don’t set our sights high, we could fall significantly short of our goals.” (Arsham, H. (2002, March). Impact of the Internet on Learning and Teaching. USDLA Journal pg

References  (Arsham, H. (2002, March). Impact of the Internet on Learning and Teaching. USDLA Journal pg  ePals. (2010). ePals Overview. Retrieved on January 25, 2010, from    ePals. (2010). In2books. Retrieved on January 25, 2010, from Lesson Gateway. (2010).   Lesson Gateway. (2010). FAQ. Retrieved on January 25, 2010, from  Matthews, J.B. (2004, April). Why Statewide Educational Networks are Important to State and Educational Leaders. Southern Regional Educational Board. Retrieved on January 25, 2010, from