Teenagers connect to each other and the world via technology

Spaces still available for free online chat at Eldersburg library

TeensConnect is possible because of a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, and a partnership of the Carroll County Public Library, Carroll County Public Schools and McDaniel College.

Since September, the group has taught students how to share their thoughts safely through blogs and create picture stories as well as other Web 2.0 technologies through monthly sessions.

Pam Lichty, media specialist at Mount Airy Middle School and a member of the TeensConnect committee, said she expanded her knowledge as a result of preparing presentations for students.

Lichty tries to keep in mind ‘‘what would children benefit most from” as she plans, she said. ‘‘The purpose is to make teens more aware...but I have really learned a lot.”

The program introduced Carroll County students to a free Internet chat called Skype which they used to talk with students in the town of Paide in Estonia about such topics as how they celebrate holidays and a fashion show the Estonians were working on. Both groups also took the time to sing their national anthems during the last chat.

There have been two chats already between the students in Carroll County and Paide and TeensConnect is hosting its third chat at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Eldersburg branch of the library, 6400 Hemlock Dr.

Students ages 11 to 17 years can sign up to participate by e-mailing howings@carr.org.

Paide was chosen since it is an international sister-city of Westminster and the county already had contacts. The TeenConnect students in Paide are learning English as a second language and their media specialist thought it would be a good way to help her students practice the language, Owings said.

‘‘They get to practice speaking English and reading it and writing it,” she said. Though also educational for the Carroll County students, Owings said ‘‘it’s more fun for them – they don’t think of it as school.”

In addition to putting students from the United States in touch with those in Estonia Owings said the program has also connected students living in Mount Airy and Eldersburg, who might not have gotten to know each other otherwise.

‘‘[It’s] really important that they get that sense that there are other countries, there are other cultures and there isn’t a Target on every corner,” Owings said. ‘‘It broadens eyes. I just think it’s a great opportunity.”

To participate

TeensConnect chat

8:30 a.m. Monday

Eldersburg library, 6400 Hemlock Dr.

Students 11 to 17

E-mail howings@carr.org to register