The ePals Global Classroom provides a variety of learning opportunities for the EFL classroom. There is a learning center with many resources that can be adapted to the specific needs of your classroom. For example, if you are conducting a unit with a focus on science there is a Science Center, or for a unit on geography there is McGraw Hill, or students can visit the Smithsonian Museum. These are only a few of the options available. This is a resource that can be utilized by classrooms in the US as there is a center that is common core aligned as well so that the project ideas that are suggested will align with common core objectives. Many of the resources can be utilized abroad as well and provide teachers and students access to award winning materials that can be used on many devices including iPad, Android and Kindle.
One of uses for this tool that I think can be very useful in the classroom is the use of projects for incorporating cultural elements into lesson plans. Classrooms from across the globe can pair up to participate in completing a project together. There are multiple ways to accomplish this. If you have a project in mind you can post your idea and your class info and another teacher can respond if their class would like to partner with you on the project. You can also search the projects that other teachers have posted and choose one that your class could join. The ePals sight provides project ideas for you or you can come up with your own. Some interesting examples are: a scavenger hunt, a documentary of your community, a collaboration on being a green campus and a story-writing project. Really the options are endless which is what makes this such an adaptable tool.
Nice review!
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