Skype in the Classroom...For Real!

"Are we skyping today?" 

"Can we skype this afternoon?"

These are the questions my eager 4th graders ask each day.  You see, they are getting quite comfortable using this web 2.0 tool.  


Over the past several months we have connected with students in Maine, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Utah, California, a local meteorologist and even the classroom down the hallway.  


If you look up the word "Skype" or "skyping" in the dictionary, you will not find it.  However, it has become one of those 'new' verbs that have been identified with the 21st century (like "google it" and "text me").  Skype has taken the pen pal idea and made it into 'instant pals!"

Skype was founded in 2003, but has recently begun to make its way into our classrooms.  Using Skype one can video-conference with another user (for free). 

This year Social Studies has come to life via Skype.  Kim Powell, a fourth grade teacher whom I met via Twitter,  asked if I was interested in doing a Mystery STATE Skype with her classroom.  Check out her Glog here!

The students researched clues that would help identify our state to help the other students guess our location.  Students took turns sharing clues about bordering states, bodies of water, climate, geography, resources, famous people, animals and more. After that we started 'skyping' other classrooms of teachers I connected with through Twitter.  It was a hit!


Along with using a Social Studies book the students were learning first hand about different states, schools and more.  It became the highlight of our days! 

It has opened up doors and windows for my students that they would have been only able to 'read' about. 

For days after our skype calls the kids would be abuzz about what they had learned from each mystery class.  Many students researched the Mystery State further (without being prompted!).  


Skype in the Classroom is a site that allows teachers to connect.  You can collaborate or post project suggestions.  It's a great way to get started.  

Fourth Grade teachers may sign up for Mystery Skype through our #4thchat Wiki.


Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano (Langwitches) created this Assessment tool to use with skype.  As she says in her blog, "A skype call is a learning call".  The forms which she has designed allows students to prepare for the call and then share what has been learned. 

Check out this Family Feud between 2 classrooms using Skype!


Skype Feud from Kelly Moore on Vimeo.

Would love to Skype with other classrooms next year...math, science, ELA, the possibilities are endless.  Please contact me if you are interested!    I can't wait to start early!!!

How have you used Skype in the classroom - Share below!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Digital Breakouts

Image
MedfieldDLD Promo A few weeks back I attended a conference in a neighboring district, #MedfieldDLD (Medfield Digital Learning Day!) It was a day filled with lots of great conversations & lots of learning.  Sessions I attended included: Hyperdocs; NEW Google Sites for Digital Portfolios; Homework: Shifting the Perspective and BreakoutEDU .  While I plan to incorporate ideas from all of these in my classroom somehow I was able to start immediately with the help of this  BreakoutEDU  slidedeck that Kerry Cowell presented. Kerry's Box BreakOuts are a game where "players use teamwork and critical thinking to solve a series of challenging puzzles in order to open a locked box." Literally, the box is locked with several different types of locks! (Number locks, key locks, word lock & direction locks)  Kerry's Breakout was related to the "Back to the Future" theme of the day and very challenging. As we worked through the clues, my team and I felt what it wo...
Read more

The Power of "I CAN"

Image
Over 30 years ago I was a student teacher in 1st grade.  It was frightening to me as I only pictured myself working with 4th grade students not being with 'little kids." I remember my cooperating teacher had me sit with a sign that said, "I CAN DO IT!"  As I recall, those first grade kids COULD do it and I did too!  Afterward I left that class and went on to become a grade 4 teacher.  I became good at figuring out what my fourth graders were and weren't capable of doing.  I often wonder if I held my students back believing they couldn't do something and not giving them the opportunity to try! Lately, as a Digital Learning Coach I have had the opportunity to spend time with kindergartners and 1st graders.  I forgot what it was like to be with 5 & 6 year olds. So, I am always pleasantly surprised and impressed by what they ARE able to 'do' when it comes learning.  Admittedly, I'm not familiar with the 'littles' and their abilities as I ...
Read more

Use of Thinking Blocks to Help Solve Math Problems

Image
More and more we are asking students to solve complex math problems.   Along the way we do a lot to help them become successful.  We incorporate the use of many tools during the math classroom. One of the tools we are using this year in the classroom is called, Thinking Blocks ".   This website (there is even a 'free' app for the thinking blocks) poses problems around different types of models.  As a warm up before the regular math lesson this week we practiced solving addition and subtraction word problems using the "part whole model with two parts" and the "part whole model with 3 parts". As a group we watch a quick 3 minute tutorial , practice several problems and then break off with a partner.  Using chrome books, students access the Thinking Blocks website and begin solving each new problem by first checking for understanding and then manipulating the blocks.  Working with a partner also gets the students used to 'talking' about mat...
Read more