Outline:

The new secure text, audio and video webmail system has been designed specifically for primary children to enhance the standard tools built into DigitalBrain.

Suitable for:

Any age range or level of ability. The new system has been built to provide powerful communication tools accessible even by children with limited skills in reading or writing.

Tools available:

•  Standard text-based email - 2 flavours (KS1 and KS2)
  
•  Audio mail - with addition of a simple microphone children can record and send (or save) audio messages
  
•  Video mail - with addition of a webcam children can record and send or save video+audio messages (or take and send still pictures)

No software is required. All the tools are available online through a Flash-enabled web browser. Individual children may tailor some aspects of the look and feel to their own preferences.

Management:

For audio and video use, a proportion of the system capacity is available on demand. Users are notified if there are too many people trying to use it simultaneously.

A proportion of the system capacity may be booked online in advance to guarantee access for planned activities.

Internet safety:

In addition to the 'safemail' system that can be used to restrict pupils to sending/receiving messages only to others in the same school; bad language filtering, virus checking and (if requested) spam filtering; the new system allows schools that choose to do so to have a copy of every pupil message sent to a nominated email account for monitoring.

Support and training:

Documentation on using the system will be available online.

In addition, briefing sessions for the portal projects that will be using the webmail facility, will also include an introduction to its use.

In-school training for individual schools or clusters can be provided at the usual consultancy rates.