Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 16:29:23 -1000
From: Barbara Hunter
To: Lynne Sueoka
Subject: Re: From Sandra in Austria

Dear Lynne,

On Mon, 14 Apr 1997, Lynne Sueoka wrote:
> Hi Lars-Erik, Lara, Patti, and all,
> I agree....I think we need info on the time (realistic estimates) and the
> type of preparation needed for kids and teachers to be good
> participants...and I say this from the perspective of one who has not at
> all times participated fully in projects I have signed up for....
>
> I will try for something that addresses this in a general way on the
> Village Cafe page....
>
> Any suggestions for inclusions welcome :)

Barbara's reply

I believe the amount of time depends on how many modem connections a teacher has available and how often she has her children. In my situation, we have one modem, so much writing is done on individual PC's (we have 24), and then saved to either disk or the file server. Either way, it takes me at least 1 1/2-2 hours to either compile the disks to be uploaded, or transfer from the server, individually, to my hard drive, then compiled and uploaded, for *each* set of messages. Sometimes I have a class compose a responses and a few type it in, but my connection during a specific class is sporadic.

The bottom line is that too many teachers want to "say" they are doing internet projects, and don't realize that they are like any other good lesson plan - they take time! It is not easier or faster, but in my estimation, just better :-)

I do not participate more due to the time factor.

I am currently having one of the best simple e-mail exchanges with one of my classes and a class from Italy. It is the first, in three years and probably 7 or 8 tries, that has continued past one or two exchanges. I try to use it as a selling point for children to get their own connections, but in many parts of the world, this is not a viable option.

Is this the type of commentary you are looking for? If not, just hit the old delete key on this...

Warm regards,
Barbara Hunter

Barbara Hunter Barbers Hill Intermediate
bhunter@tenet.edu Mt. Belvieu, Texas USA
jghunter@gte.net 29 50 51 N
TENET Master Trainer 94 53 26 W
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Updated August, 1997