When integrating email into the classroom be sure to:

1.  Determine the role and the function for using email

- consider the purpose of the project
- establish criteria for evaluation

2.  Establish what elements of the class can be implemented using email

Possible Ideas:
Manage Classroom Activities:                    Disseminate information:
- distribute course syllabi                          - articles and readings
- make assignments                                  - lecture outlines
- distribute calendar and due dates
- coordinate meetings

Communicate information:                        Guide Learning:
- class discussions                                    - clarify assignments
- submit projects/assignments                 - communicate with individual students
- collaborate on class projects                  - provide feedback and grades
- communicate with classmates                - ask and respond to questions
 

3.  Set expectations and follow through with specific guidelines

- address typical concerns early
- advise students to check email regularly
- encourage students to respond promptly
- designate whether informal emails are appropriate
- have backup communication procedure

4.  Designate roles when doing group work

- online meeting scheduler
- written materials coordinator
- draft distributor
- materials updater
- communicator
- compiler
- researcher
- writer
- designer
- final product submitter

5.  Have an Organization Method for the Email

Teacher
- establish a number of folders for saving particular types of email
- print out hard copies of important messages

Students
- when working in the lab and sharing computers students must check the email preferences to be sure that their mail is being sent out by the correct user and not the person that was using the computer before them

6. Be sure to Control Learning Environment

- implement standard netiquette procedures
- match the level of formality to the situation
- keep your message short
- build the four senses into your message for better understanding
- don't assume a person receives and understands your message, ask for confirmation from the receiver
- reply to all the questions asked of you
- forward mail of interest to friends

7.  Electronic Project Essentials

- Getting To Know You - help students get to know each other
- Mix and Match - try mixing different types of people together to share life experiences
- Collaboration - allow students the opportunity to collaborate and work together towards a common goal
- Skill Sharing - allow students to share when they learn a new skill
- Electronic Field trips -  allow students to explore exciting places worldwide
- Mentorships -  allow students to help others
- Pen Pal Ideas - connect your students with others around the world

The above information was taken from the book Virtual Sandcastles:Teaching & Learning at a Distance written by Annette Lamb and William L. Smith.
 
 

1.  Students couldcommunicate with a daily pen pal from another state or country and compare and contrast the weather.

2.  Students could email their parents every week explaining five interesting things they learned in school.

3.  Students could create an online newspaper for the school and publish a new edition every Friday.

4.  Students could chart the annual rainfall in their school area and then analyze and compare results with a participating class from across the world.

5.  Students could complete online book reports and their classmates, as well as students around the world,could use the reports to help with choosing a book for the next library period.