Assignment 4

Alicia Ray EDTC6070 Summer 1 2011

Topic: Skype Research Question: How can Skype be used effectively in a fifth grade classroom? Although all four research models would eventually land me at the same conclusion, I chose to use the I-Search model. As I was deciding on a model choice, I was trying to think from a fifth-graders point-of-view. I wanted to give them something easy to use that made a connection from other forms of research we have conducted this year. The ISearch model really stood out to me due to the personal web at the beginning. Students are always encouraged to use a thinking map to brainstorm their information before beginning any writing assignment. This personal web would fit easily into the format they have used in the past. The eight-step process can be found at http://www.coe.uga.edu/epltt/ISearch/index.html. Step 1: I created a personal web using Inspiration software to brainstorm questions I have had throughout the year. I am a skeptic at heart, so my bubble map ended up being fairly large. I had to narrow my map down to basic topics, such as iPod usage, the best iPod apps, use of ClassScape in the classroom, online standardized testing, and using Skype in the classroom. Step 2: Reflection questions were given within the model which I greatly appreciate. I learned the following information about myself through my web: I am skeptical of the benefits of the current uses of technology within our school. I think about the web activity helped me find a topic because: I had to really make myself think of what I see daily in classes. I had to quickly formulate an opinion and see if it was something I was genuinely curious about, or just wanted to change in the future. I want to consider the following two or three topics for my I-Search: Is it effective to use iPods vs SmartBoard to show videos? If I had $10 to spend on itunes, which apps would be most beneficial for fifth grade students? and How can Skype be used effectively in a fifth grade classroom? My first choice of a topic is: How can Skype be used effectively in a fifth grade classroom? I know the following about my first choice: Skype is a free software program that allows one to call anywhere in the world for free. One can also send instant messages through Skype. Step 3: For my pre-noting portion of I-Search, I created a table on a separate sheet of paper to help me organize my thoughts before conducting research. Basically, I know that skype is a free software program used to call globally. I know that skype can be used to videoconference and I know that several shows (Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Jeopardy, and even Oprah) use it to speak with celebrities who cannot be on set. I do not know if skype can be used educationally in the elementary school level. I do not know if students can be trusted to use such a tool on their own. I also do not know how well Skype works when talking long-distance. Therefore, what Id like to know about Skype is if it can be used in a fifth grade classroom effectively (and not just for technology fluff) and if there are timedelays that would impede an instructional lesson.

Assignment 4

Alicia Ray EDTC6070 Summer 1 2011

Step 4: I really like this step in the I-Search model. It requires the student, and me, to read the material first without taking notes. When I first read something new, I like to read through it without stopping. I really do not want to have to stop and take notes on something that will possibly be answered when I continue reading the article, book, or reference. I just used Yahoo! as my search engine, typing in How to use Skype effectively in the classroom? I found several sites that could answer my question, but I really tried to look for research-based or trustworthy sites. After really evaluating my sources, I settled down to 4 or 5 decent websites on the topic. Step 5: The pre-note taking 2 phase is valuable for those who struggle with higher-order thinking skills. My pre-note taking 1 questions asked if skype could be used. After my initial reading (without note taking), I can now change my question to How can Skype be used effectively in the fifth grade classroom? Step 6: The double entry draft reminds me of two-column notes that I teach my students to take. This is just another reason that I really like the I-Search model to use with my own students. Fryer, Wesley. Skype in the Classroom. http://www.wtvi.com/teks/05_06_articles/skypein-the-classroom.html Content VoIP technology is Voice over Internet Protocol talking through the internet Response This is like taking AIM and AOL to the next level. E-mail was the preface for Instant Messaging and VoIP makes IMing look like yet another obsolete piece of technology history. I like that teachers must be registered to use this site, with a valid school systems email address. This increases safety for all involved. I love this! 21st Century learners cannot sit still and learn as we did when we were younger. They must be up moving, interacting with others, and constantly have their brains working (even multitasking) in order to achieve their highest potential. Response I am already in love with this site. It is so quick and easy to find a Skype class to work with and a project to connect on. This is awesome for global awareness in an elementary school. Fifth grade studies all of North America so it would be great to connect with Canada & Mexico, as well as

ePals.com is a way to find Skype pals over the internet Students can no longer sit and get.

http://www.epals.com/ Content Home page Collaboration by finding a school in any country

Assignment 4

Alicia Ray EDTC6070 Summer 1 2011 other American territories. We could even talk with the UK since we won our freedom from there. Wow this speaks highly to the future of epals and the relevance to todays teaching. They are working to instill Common Core into their epal In2Books, and are adding the International Reading Association to the list of partners. This is impressive. I am more and more impressed with this site. Global warming affects the entire globe and it hits on fifth grade curriculum. The project about weather and maps both correlate to fifth grade science curriculum. Celebration of holidays and festivities could be used as a reading skill compare and contrast.

Press Releases Common Core Literacy Project adds IRA to list of partners

Project list on main page includes global warming, weather, maps, digital storytelling, and celebration of holidays and festivities.

http://technologypd.pbworks.com/w/page/20292184/Skype-in-Education Content Response What can you do with Skype? section Using skype to allow those students who are absent to interact with students at school is an ingenious idea! This allows students to not miss instructional time, get collaborative classroom experience, without spreading germs. Excellent! Allow parents to see what students are This is a great way to promote parent presenting involvement in the schools, without the parent having to leave work. They can actually see and hear presentations by their own child through skype. http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/skype-in-the-classroom Content Response Skype in Class forum This site houses many ideas via discussion forum about uses for skype. These ideas include improving language skills for other countries, as well as our own ESL students. Skype in school wiki There is also a Skype in Schools wiki that reminds me of epals.com. There are not as many foreign countries on their directory, but do study various states, as we do in fifth grade, it would be perfect. Several IT departments dont want schools I need to research bandwidth to understand to have Skype because of bandwidth issues. this better, but it appears that other places can link onto the schools bandwidth to

Assignment 4

Alicia Ray EDTC6070 Summer 1 2011 share information? Really not clear about this possible negative to skype.

Step 7: What have I learned? I learned that there are many applications for using skype in the classroom. Specific fifth grade connections could be a study of another state or country for purpose of comparing and contrasting various things (geography, culture, food, schools, etc), global awareness study, and increase public speaking abilities. Skype can be used to help students in other countries speak English, or students who are LEP in our school to speak English. Skype has many pros and cons to usage in the classroom. I learned to be sure the privacy setting is set high, so there will be no random pop-ups in class. It is important to use Skype at home and get used to it before using in the classroom. It is also important to video message your epal prior to the classroom discussion to check for technical difficulties, as well as safety for the children (are they really who they say they are?). I have learned that Skype is becoming a hot item in the classrooms and there are more and more uses popping up on the internet all the time. Skype can be used in Common Core settings as Common Core becomes more of a staple in education. Step 8: In conclusion, Skype can be used effectively in fifth grade classrooms. There are many uses that support various areas of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for fifth grade. It also encompasses the idea of global awareness through free phone calls to other countries. Not to mention, its just really, really cool which makes it motivational for students! References Fryer, Wesley. Skype in the Classroom. 2005. http://www.wtvi.com/teks/05_06_articles/skype-in-the-classroom.html Tallman, J, Joyce, M. Making the Writing and Research Connection with the I-Search Process. http://www.coe.uga.edu/epltt/ISearch/index.html SKYPE in the classroom - Classroom 2.0. Classroom 2.0. Retrieved June 6, 2011, from http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/skype-in-the-classroom?id=649749%3ATopic %3A246770&page=2#comments Marotta, M. (2009) Skype in Education. technologypd. Retrieved June 6, 2011, from http://technologypd.pbworks.com/w/page/20292184/Skype-in-Education www.epals.com

Reflective Evaluation

Assignment 4

Alicia Ray EDTC6070 Summer 1 2011

I enjoyed using the I-Search model as a mode of research. I introduced this model to my fifth grade students and broke down for them each step. We actually used this model to do an extremely quick research project. We found a bug in our classroom that no one could identify. It was over 2 inches long and had these huge eye spots. My kids were so fascinated by the bug that I took it as a teachable moment here in the end of school. We pulled out laptops and I used the I-Search model to help them create their own personal web, brainstorming what the bug looked like, find valuable resources online (evaluating them as we went), then we did a note-taking session, similar to the notes from I-Search. We had a column labeled Fact (for content) and a column labeled Opinion (for response). Each time the students found a fact, they would write their own opinion next to it as a response. We ended up finding out so much about our bug! We ended up naming the poor dead bug Earl, just because the students felt it was somehow wrong to know so much about him, but not give him a name! Ha! It is a great method for research and seemed simple enough for my fifth graders to understand. (By the way, Earl is a Eyed Click Beetle.)