INTERAGE CYBERPALS
 


 

Make  a Difference in the Life of  a Child

All it takes is:
A computer
An e-mail connection
A few minutes of your time each week
A desire to be part of an adult/student/teacher/parent team
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PLEASE NOTE:

InterAge CyberPals is no longer sponsored by
CyberSpace Seniors, but the material from the original program described below,
has been incorporated into a pilot on-line mentoring program
directed by the Virtual Volunteering Project at the University of Texas in Austin.

This pilot program runs August - December 2000.

For further information, please contact the Virtual Volunteering Project at

  http://www.serviceleader.org/vv/

If you would like to volunteer for an online mentoring program,
please see this comprehensive index of online mentoring and
tutoring programs throughout the U.S.

http://www.serviceleader.org/vv/orgs/mentor.html
 
 

       A Brief History of the Original InterAge CyberPals (IACP) Classroom Program

In late September 1997, 27 mature adults  and 27 5th-grade students  began exchanging weekly e-mail letters. Under the auspices of CyberSpace
Seniors*, the semester-long InterAge CyberPals project was curriculum-based . In weekly e-mail letters, the adults helped the students by example with grammar, spelling, vocabulary and sentence structure while establishing personal, supportive relationships. During the 1998-1999 school year, 163
students in six classrooms in Arizona and Nevada corresponded with 130 adults CyberPals from all over the world.

The InterAge CyberPal (IACP) project came about through a desire to encourage mature adults to mentor children using their Internet skills.  As
more adults volunteer for the program,  the Internet-based IACP can be made available to classrooms anywhere in the United States.

All correspondence is carefully monitored by the teacher and/or volunteer team/facilitators. The response of the children has been heartwarming.

Now that you know a little about our history, we are going to tell you who we are and more about what we do.
 
 

InterAge CyberPals Classroom Program

WHO ARE WE?

We are ADULTS  age 40 and  older with access to computers with modems who
know how or want to learn to use e-mail. No past teaching experience is
necessary.

We are 10 and 11 year-old STUDENTS  in a public school.

We are TEACHERS who are interested in improving students communication and
language skills through e-mail correspondence with caring CyberPal adults.

We are PARENTS who facilitate and monitor the exchanges of e-mail messages
between the CyberPal adults and students.

WHAT DO WE DO?

The InterAge CyberPals Classroom program links students with adults who
want to make a difference in the lives of young people;  helps students
develop skills in communication, grammar, spelling, etc. by example; and
creates bonds which may be lacking in the lives of some children.

WHY DO WE DO IT?

To create intergenerational relationships while focusing on the curriculum
and mutual interests of the students and mature adults while providing an
opportunity for students to become more proficient in the use of e-mail
technology and to promote the use and enjoyment of written communication.
 

HOW DO WE DO IT?

Students and CyberPal adults write to each other individually by the use of
curriculum-based teacher/facilitator monitored e-mail that is sent to and
from the classroom.

WHERE and WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE?

Students correspond using a computer in the classroom or computer lab; the
CyberPal adults communicate from the comfort of their own homes, offices,
etc.  It takes place during the school year only.

IACP MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of  Cyberspace Seniors and the InterAge CyberPals ClassroomProgram is to encourage children in the use of communication and language skills using the technology that will be an important part of their lives in the 21st century and to help them become contributing members of society.

Adults from all walks of life are welcome to join the InterAge CyberPals Classroom Program.  There are no dues or memberships fees.  Adults need not have any teaching experience. All necessary instruction is provided by e-mail.

We look forward to having you join us in this worthwhile adventure

Martha R. (Martye) Gore
Former Executive Director
InterAge CyberPals Classroom Project
Tucson, Arizona

NOW UNDER NEW SPONSORSHIP

For further information, please contact the Virtual Volunteering Project at

  http://www.serviceleader.org/vv/

If you would like to volunteer for an online mentoring program,
please see this comprehensive index of online mentoring and
tutoring programs throughout the U.S.

http://www.serviceleader.org/vv/orgs/mentor.html
 

See Adjunct Groups

CyberSpace Seniors

Savvy Seniors

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