KIRYAT ANAVIM, Israel—On the outskirts of Jerusalem, where the city gives way to rural countryside, students at Alon Elementary School are mastering much more than subject matter. They're also learning how to help one another, and how to live cooperatively.

Since their school entered the Information Age five years ago with the addition of two computer labs, students have become adept at using technology. Now, they're taking their knowledge into the larger community. In a multigenerational project, eighth-graders are teaming up to tutor local senior citizens in the use of technology.

"It's a paradox," admits one participating elder. "Normally the older person is the teacher. Here the tables are turned, and I'm enjoying every minute of it. Each time I sit with my young 'teacher,' I learn something new."

Alon Elementary students coach their senior pupils on basic computer skills, including how to use the Internet. They use a guidebook written by a team of eighth-graders. Lessons take place in pupil-senior pairs, of which there are now 45.

According to veteran teacher Merylin Metzger, who serves as the school's computer coordinator, "The seniors receive various tasks on the computer that they perform under the guidance of the Alon pupils." The end product is publication of an "e-book," written jointly by the seniors and the children. The books capture the elder citizens' life stories, which are stored electronically and used later for discussion groups in Alon classrooms.

The project accomplishes a variety of goals. "In an age of focus on individualism, we see it as important to educate our young people to help one another and to volunteer in the community," Metzger explains. Likewise, in an age when the 'digital divide' in Israel is ever-widening, we're trying to bridge this gap and educate our children to help other people using their specialty—computers and the Internet."

When they're placed in the tutor role, children become more confident about their own technology skills. But the lessons go well beyond computer applications. "The Alon pupils have learned patience and how to explain things repeatedly," says Metzger. "They have also learned that the world was different a generation ago." Many pupils continue volunteering with the seniors after their formal commitment has ended. 

Says one student: "I work with a person who can't see very well or hear very well. It's OK, though. I just enlarge the icons and the cursors. I try to speak clearly, and we get along just fine. I think he's learning a lot."

Another student was surprised to learn about her senior partner's wide-ranging interests. "I thought older people were only interested in watching TV and knitting. 'R.' is into mysticism and tarot cards, and so am I. I've learned so much from her. It's exciting."

The seniors also soak up much more than keyboarding basics. "I thought today's youth were really impolite and rowdy. With this program, I've come to see how children can behave," says one elder participant. "Their patience is boundless. They know how to respect their elders."