In the beginning, Modem Mates was designed to be a three year project to train teachers in computer telecommunication, assist them in establishing at least one computer and modem in every elementary School in Schenectady County, New York, and then support the creation of instructional projects that would use the computer and the Modem Mates network to get students and teachers to interact with one another. The project makes use of both students' love of technology and technology's power to improve instruction and emulate real-life learning situations in the classroom. Moreover, since all student activities on the computer involve reading and writing, the project reinforces basic literacy skills daily. After two years of the project, it is obvious that what was intended to be a three year project will continue on for many years to come. The educational value of the interaction of children from different schools is immeasurable. Students participate in projects such as the M&Ms project, the Local Geography project, the Modem Mates Times Newspaper, and many other projects, not to mention the huge participation in Pen Pal writings.
Although it has been extremely successful thus far in Schenectady County via a school based, dial-up, bulletin board, we have realized that this interaction between students in different schools could be valuable to children across the country and even the world. And it is for this reason that Modem Mates has extended itself to the World Wide Web. It is our hope that this will enable schools from anywhere in the country and the world to participate in the activities that have proven so valuable here in our schools.
Of course the idea of using technology to improve instruction and enhance literacy skills is not new to Modem Mates. Educators have long forseen the obvious advantages technology offers for enhancing everyday instruction. What is new and exciting about Modem Mates is that it gives schools the human and fiscal resources to turn these visions into reality. It makes technology work in the classroom. It fulfills the long-held desire for technology that would be both easy for teachers and engaging for students. For the schools and teachers involved, the Modem Mates project and its Elfun Society volunteers are proving to be the bridge between today's classrooms and the classrooms of the future.
The program is a project oriented one. Within the first year, at least ten seperate projects were completed, all involving very important skills. Examples of these projects and the skills they promote and involve are:
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We are now underway in our third year with the activity of the program and the number and quality of projects greatly increasing. The Modem Mates Program has been extended by a grant to include schools in Oneida County. If you have any questions, comments, etc. feel free to contact the Schenectady Modem Mates Coordinator, Mr. Daniel Riggins, Principal of Charlton Heights Elementary School.
Please, ANYONE, feel free to look around on the Schenectady Modem Mates pages and participate in any areas you feel fit. NOTE: You DO NOT have to be a teacher or in any way affiliated with an educational institute to be involved in this project, although this is a plus. Anyone may contribute to the Modem Mates areas. For those of you not affiliated with an educational institute, your comments would be most appreciated in the Issues Forum.
Thank you,
Daniel Riggins
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"Much enthusiasm was generated by communicating with students
throughout the county. The M&M;'s unit also taught kids that large
numbers influence findings in the scientific sense. Being able to do
work on-line resulted in increased interest in the subject
matter."
Winnie Meyer, Rosendale 5th Grade Teacher
"The children became so much more knowledgeable in computer
technology. They were extremely enthusiastic about the projects."
Joanne DeChants, Charlton Heights 4th Grade Teacher
"Modem Mates has allowed by class to send messages on the 'system'
and use a server in another location. I loved being involved in a
group of fellow schools."
Susan Rivers, Lincoln 4th Grade Teacher
"Our class continues to enjoy Modem Mates activities. We are doing
math problem exchange, pen pals, book exchange, science problem
exchange, opinion exchange, weekly school letter exchange, sports
predicitions, and story starters."
John George, Glendaal School 5th Grade Teacher
"It was great to get ideas from other districts. Once we got
started, I had three students regularly do Book Talks with
Glen-Worden students."
DeAnn Moffett, Pinewook 4th Grade Teacher
"Each day the students check the [on-line] folder for letters and
messages. If something arrived, we answered withing a few days. We
also had students sending letters to other students every week. This
project generated enthusiasm for learning the computer. Many writing
skills were learned through our letter writing process."
Celia Leicht, Pleasant Valley 5th Grade Teacher