A mailing list (or listserv) is a closed network of subscribers who share an interest and correspond by e-mail. One becomes a subscriber to a mailing list and then accesses the entire group of subscribers. Any subscriber can send or receive a message to and from everyone else in the group.

 
A mailing list (listserv) is an excellent way to participate in a discussion with many people on a common topic. You can search for mailing lists by keyword, using a search engine.
 
Warning: When you subscribe to a mailing list, you will receive all the messages sent by the subscribers, which can amount to hundreds of messages in a short period of time. Before you subscribe to a mailing list, make sure that you know how to cancel your subscription, if you so desire.
 
 
1. Pick a list, using a keyword and a search engine, or use one of the samples below.

2. Open a new e-mail message, and address it to: listserv@listserv.net

3. You may leave the subject line of your e-mail message blank.

4. In the body of the message, type the following:

subscribe [name of mailing list and your name]
Ex.: subscribe kidsphere <Jane Doe>
 
5. Send the message. You will join the subscribers who correspond through kidsphere, arguably the most active K-12 mailing list in the Internet. Before long, you will receive a message welcoming you to the mailing list. Keep this message because it will tell you the rules as well as how to send messages and how to leave the list. (Otherwise, you could be stuck there forever.)

6. To subscribe to other lists, replace kidsphere (above) with the name of another mailing list. 

 
1. Address your message to: listserv@cunyvm.cuny.edu

2. In the body of your new message, type: list global/ <keyword>

Ex.: list global/museum
The search will send you a list of the active mailing lists that match your keyword.
 
 
Kidsphere
K-12 discussions about bringing technology into the classroom.
See sample above.
 
Field Trips
Join to share information about field trips with K-12 classes in the U.S. and abroad
e-mail to : majordomo@acme.fred.org
Type: subscribe fieldtrips-L
 
Middle-L
Those interested in Middle School education share ideas, projects, resources, problems, solutions, etc.
e-mail to: listserv@listserv.net
Type: subscribe middle-L <your name>
 
World Wide Web
Discuss how to use the WWW in the K-12 classroom.
e-mail to: listserv@k12.cnidr.org
Type: subscribe wwwedu <your name>
*This section is adapted from Educator's Internet Companion, edited by Gregory Giagnocavo, Tim McLain, Vince DiStefano, and Chris Noonan Sturm (Lancaster, PA: Wentworth Worldwide Media, Inc. 1995).

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