It is very common for classes to use the Internet to get keypals. It is also one of the first ways through which many classes meet Kidlink. The list where Kidlink youth get keypals is called KIDCAFE-INDIVIDUAL. It is still the largest Kidlink list with very many messages. Youth send requests for keypals to list and exchange messages. It is of course great fun to exchange messages with kids all over the world, but since it is difficult for classes to succeed we will try to give some advice. There are good ways and bad ways.

There should be no need for a list to exchange keypal messages in. It should be enough to have a list where kids could announce for keypals or look for them. The reason we actual exchange of messages between kids is that some teachers feels safer when the exchange is run in the open on moderated list. In KIDCAFE-INDIVIDUAL all messages are moderated before they are published. This way we can keep messages that disturbs the echange away from the list. Now to some advice for teachers and other adults.

This is what you can do to get a better chance of succeding with keypal exchange:

Our first advice is that you don't subscribe to KIDCAFE-INDIVIDUAL. The archive of the list can be found at http://listserv.nodak.edu/archives/kidcafe-individual.html. It is much easier to read messages there. And you will not get hundreds of messages that are not for you sent to your mailbox. It is also possible for you to use the searcher there. This makes everything so much easier and the kids can learn how to search in the process.

Our next advice is that you leave the list and write privately when the exchange is established. The list is a thin shell of protection that we have created against adults that wants to contact children. Some teachers don't feel they need this protection but for those who feel the need they can easily leave the list and write privately when they feel comfortable with the exchange. Individual exchange is after all easier between private addresses. But if you want to send to the list it's easy. Just send to the address kidcafe-individual@listserv.nodak.edu and it will reach all the people who are subscribed and also be published on the web.

It is a lot of work to organise the exchange for a whole class. Please consider to participate as a class. Try to find a partner class to carry out the exchange with. Make a plan for the exchange so that class knows when they can relay on an answer and have something to look forward to. Write the message collectively. This way the whole class can contribute their ideas. This also makes it much easier when writing in a foreign language and gives the pupils a sense for how to write an interesting message that leads to a reply. We don't mind if the class messages are sent to the list. In fact we like it. It is sometimes nice and inspiring for other classes. But it is also ok for you to write privately. KIDCAFE-COORD, the planing list is a friendly place where you can find classes or the kids can announce in KIDCAFE-INDIVIDUAL or KIDCAFE-SCHOOL.

If your pupils are allowed to participate on their own make sure you only let those who knows how participate. Individual exchange is best suited for those who are skilled with a computer and a mail client. It is often to much work for a teacher run the exchange for a whole class. It is much better to start a couple of kids of and let them teach the others. Make sure they really teach netiqette to.

Don't assume that kids will do a good job just because it's the Internet and they like computers. They still have to be motivated like when they do other work. Be realistic. Don't promise them keypals within a couple of minutes. Nobody can garanti that they get an answer.

In our experience there are two ways to chose between when you want a keypal. The most common way is not the one that gets the best result.

You can send in an announcement. But often it's the most exciting and unusual messages that gets an answer. Still it may be woth a try the first time around.

You can also answer a message sent to the list. The is what usually works best. It doesn't hurt to spend some time looking through the list for a keypal. If they find a person who seems to be a keen writer and that has the same interests this may be a good opening for a long friendship and exchange.

It is often considered rude to mine a list for participants. We don't see it this way. KIDCAFE-INDIVIDUAL is one of the largest keypal lists in the world and it will remain so if kids are satisfied. Our exchange is individual though it's presented on a list. It is nice if the kids wants to write three or four messages between each other before they write privately. But when they have found a good keypal and have established a friendly exchange it will be easier and feel more private to write directly to each other. It is something up to parents or school to decide.

Please make sure that you behave so you earn respect. People chose who they want to co-operate with. Nobody wants to work with a class that isn't serious in the exchange. Make sure that the kids understand that they should show respect. It is very good if messages are exciting, humorous and full of beautiful metaphors. Messages with rude comments, foul language and other nonsense irritates other participants.
Sometimes kids don't reflect. They don't think about the fact that other cultures have other values. To respect these values is important in cross cultural communication. Words that they pick up from books, comics and movies may seem a part of the culture but often isn't. In some countries a school that works with such messages may have trouble and even lose it's internet connection. What may seem as an innocent prank may have serious consequences.

KIDCAFE-INDIVIDUAL is a keypal list. It has been put on the Internet to help kids share the joy of getting keypals from all over the word. Correctly used the list is a powerful resource. With our advice we are confident that you will succeed.