Technology Integration Form COLLABORATION

GENERAL INFORMATION
Selected Technology/Resource Name: Age/Grade Level: Technology/Resource Type:
ePals K-12
Application Software Device Website
Source: (Web address, company name, etc.)

https://www.epals.com/#/connections

Associated Learning Standard(s): The resource may be generally applicable, if so, simply state that. List any ISTE-S standards that
seem to naturally align with the selected resource.
2a: Students cultivate and manage their digital identity and reputation and are aware of the permanence of their actions in the
digital world.
2b: Students engage in positive, safe, legal and ethical behavior when using technology, including social interactions online or
when using networked devices.
2c: Students demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the rights and obligations of using and sharing intellectual
property.
2d: Students manage their personal data to maintain digital privacy and security and are aware of data-collection technology used
to track their navigation online.
7a: Students use digital tools to connect with learners from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, engaging with them in ways
that broaden mutual understanding and learning.
7b: Students use collaborative technologies to work with others, including peers, experts or community members, to examine
issues and problems from multiple viewpoints.

RESOURCE DESCRIPTION
Give a brief description of the technology/resource.

ePals is a website that lets any teacher/student go global and take an inside look at other classrooms around the world. It not only
allows students to look at another classroom, but it also allows students to look over certain curricula and even compare the
difference of what is being taught. Teachers and students can combine their lessons and collaborate. A cool feature on the
website includes pen pals for students. They can interact and talk to other students outside of school.

INTEGRATION IDEA - COLLABORATION

How might you integrate this resource in a lesson plan to promote collaboration among students in your classroom, or among
students and others outside of the classroom?

ePals can be integrated in a lesson plan by expanding the curriculum to other classrooms around the world. It is a good
collaboration tool since students can collab with other students both in the classroom and outside. It creates a sense of curiosity
among the students which will lead them to explore the website more on their own. They can also have pen pals, which then can
lead them to discuss their pen pals to other students creating conversation about the difference between said pen pal and
themselves.

Value-Added Rating Scale

 3 2 1

The integration idea described: The integration idea described: The integration idea described:

aligns to content standards aligns to content standards aligns to content standards

transforms a lesson in a way that would enhances a lesson; likely to serves as a nice supplement to a lesson
be impossible or very difficult without it; increase student engagement and but wouldnt necessarily play a critical
very likely to increase student engagement support mastery of the concept(s) role within the lesson
and contribute to mastery of the
will most likely be used by the will most likely be used by the teacher
concept(s)
students directly during a lesson (e.g., a demonstration)
optimal in a student-centered
environment where students are active
and engaged in learning content

VALUE-ADDED EXPLANATION
Based on the value-added rating scale above, how would you rate the technology integration you described, using the
selected resource?
Explain your rating based on the rubric indicators.

I will rate this website a 2, because it can enhance a lesson by engaging students to think globally to their same grade peers. It
also supports a big ISTE standard of digital citizenship, which can help the student evolve into someone who has mastered what
to put on the internet. It can also intrigue students to use the website outside of school, and maybe even gain some friends from
other countries. The privacy part is that one must be invited to use ePals by a teacher, so it is sure not to allow just anyone on the
internet. It helps create curiosity within students to go out and explore what is the difference between them and students from
other parts of the world. Since the website is so broad, I believe students will use it directly and outside of school. Though it does
have faults, its an interesting website choice to integrate in a lesson.

This template has been adapted from the following resources:

Christie, A., (2007). Dr. Alice Christies 6C Model for Evaluating Apps. Retrieved from
http://www.kathyschrock.net/uploads/3/9/2/2/392267/evalipad_content.pdf
ISTE, (2012). iste.netss Advancing Digital Age Learning. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-s-standards.pdf?sfvrsn=2.
LearnZillion, Inc. (July 2014). TeachFest Guide | Mathematics. Retrieved from http://ctcorestandards.org/wp-
content/uploads/2014/08/Math_TeachFest_SA_Guidebook.pdf.
Schrock, K., (2011-14). Critical Evaluation of a Content-Based IPAD/IPOD APP. Retrieved from
http://alicechristie.org/6C/6C.pdf.