Email is an inexpensive and easy means of communication which educators are using more frequently to distribute daily announcements, send notes to parents, or collaborate on school projects.

Email is used effectively for instruction or communication, but it can also be used inappropriately. Districts should develop policies to guide both staff and students in the proper use of email. These policies may be part of the district's Acceptable Use Policy, but it may be a separate document. A policy such as this protects the students and staff as well as prevents abuse of the email system.

Spam and Viruses

Because email has become such a popular way to pass information, it has been abused by individuals and groups. These groups send unsolicited email, called Spam, to any email address that can be identified. The Federal Trade Commission Spam site is a great resource for consumers to report spammers, find information on limiting spam and spam scams, and read the CAN-SPAM Act, which was passed in order to help fight spam.

Malicious individuals often use email to distribute computer viruses, which are programs that can cause computers to become inoperable. To protect against viruses, every networked computer should have up-to-date anti-virus software. Read the Top 10 Tips to Keep Your Computer Virus-Free from Symantec.

Email in the Classroom

Even with its drawbacks, email can be used as an instructional tool. For schools which do not allow individual student accounts, teachers can manage messages from the entire class through their own account.

Gaggle.net provides free (with advertising) email accounts to students in which a teacher can monitor student messages or block usage, as well as block inappropriate language and content. A paid version without advertising is also available.

Students of all ages can use email to exchange information with other classrooms using ePALS. Other "keypal" sites include Keypals Club and KidLink. Other uses of email in the classroom include contacting experts in the class's current topic using Ask an Expert Site or writing to the U.S. Congress (U.S. Senators ... U.S. House of Representatives).