 |
| Students reflect on John's visits |
Endless Skype-Abilities
collaboration,
skype
4.14.2012
Social Studies by Skype? Sure thing. Soldiers by Skype? You betcha! Science by Skype? Yeah, buddy. Seems that the Skype possibilities are endless. Just this week, Autumn Bockart's sixth-grade class at Friendswood Jr. High visited by Skype with my brother Mark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin about their project that involves creating an advertising campaign that champions a cause; he works for Clear Channel Outdoor Advertising and was able to answer their questions about billboards. Right before winter break, our third graders had a Skype chat with a solider on active duty in Iraq and we got to watch as he opened a care package from us.
This Thursday, my husband John made a virtual visit to Reagan Tunstall's first-grade classroom over near San Antonio to enrich their rock unit. In December, he did a similar lesson with Jordan's fifth graders up in Missouri following their Solar System study. What a memorable moment for these little learners to welcome a NASA scientist to their classroom! And Joshua's seventh-grade Social Studies class made several Skype calls to the students' older siblings; they visited with our future college kids live from their college campuses last Fall to enhance the school's college-awareness activities. I love the outreach and collaboration that this type of technology can provide. I recently found a blog with this list of authors who Skype. For free! How have you used Skype as a tool in your students' learning?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I am still "over the moon" about our Skype session with Mr. John Gruener! Fabulous! I adore both of you. Thank you for wanting to impact learners in every way possible!
ReplyDeleteI want to Skype! I am working on a Skype event as part of writing workshop. I hope to find an author that will talk to teachers and students about writing/illustrating. This is such an easy way to communicate without the usual boundaries.
ReplyDeleteWe had a skype teacher development workshop in the fall. At first we didn't feel a personal connection to what she was saying but soon she warmed up to looking into a camera and we warmed up to her being on a screen and we were relating and laughing etc.
ReplyDeletei have just skyped many times with a canadian authour. we used her books to study story elements and then got advice on the writing process. I can not stop raving about what a great learning tool it has been for the students. they love it. i am planning to use it more. mary at apopovic@primus.ca
ReplyDelete