Could also use Apples iChat, Google Hangouts, or other videoconferencing tools.
Handouts
My blog post:
http://twrctank.com/2012/04/21/using-skype-in-the-classroom My Diigo list of resources: http://www.diigo.com/list/twrctank/skype My Diigo list of videos included in this presentation: http://www.diigo.com/list/twrctank/skype-presentation-video-p
http://youtu.be/m1mflr-kQlk
(language arts focus) Global Authors Chairstudents sharing their own writing (language arts focus) Virtual Poetry Slam (language arts focus) Mystery Skype Visits (collaboration, communication, geography & critical thinking focus) Around the World with 80 Schools via Skype (multicultural, global awareness, documentation, visually representing, & technology focus). Some technology examples: Google Maps, Google Earth, back channeling, blogging, data form creation, data collection, and videography. And many more
The Good
A face-to-face or virtual
meeting with the author of a book you read is a memorable experience. Because of the personal connection, motivation to read additional books from that author is increased. Listening to authors discuss writing increases student interest in writing. Many authors are willing to Skype for free. Videoconference can be displayed on a big screen.
Julie Niles Petersen & Christopher Paul Curtis @IRA in Atlanta, 2008
The Bad
Skype might be blocked at
your school Bandwidth issues Can lose connection (but its usually easy to reconnect) No live book signings (could try to work that out in advance or get signed bookplates mailed to you)
school. If you get the go ahead. Find an author willing to Skype, set up date, time, length of visit, & decide who will initiate the call
Morning may be best to avoid high Internet usage To find authors, see my Diigo list Study the authors books, websites, & social media presence (e.g.
Prepare questions for the author & have students practice asking them
loudly & clearly. Select students to greet the author, introduce the class, ask the questions, videotape the session, & photograph the session Create a FREE Skype account On a computer with a webcam, make some practice video calls with friends & then one with the author. Decide on the best location to conduct the visit, where to put the camera, & where to place the speaker chair (if used) so he or she will be perfectly framed in the video. Hold a dress rehearsal in the desired location with the equipment you plan to use.
screen, make sure the LCD projector is working. (Could have 2 LCD projectors1 for authors presentation & one for Skype call.) Make sure computer is hooked up to a good sound system & that it works. Make sure your microphone setup works. Make sure the room is arranged so the author & audience can see the speakers face. Make sure the lighting is good. Discuss etiquette & how you will handle technological problems should they arise during the visit. (Perhaps have them bring copies of the authors books to read) If you are allowing just anyone to speak, have students sit in rows so movement is easier.
questions so they can take notes OR have them use technology to backchannel (e.g. Todays Meet).
(Videotape it!) Document the visit by creating a video slideshow from video clips & photos taken during the visit. Possible tech tools: Animoto and Xtranormal. Write reflective blog posts OR paper & pencil journal entries about the visit. Embed images & video in the blog posts. Share reflective blog posts with a global audience. Create an audio podcast about the visit. Give a presentation about the visit to your school or community. Send the author thank you letters, videos, or audio podcasts. Watch this video debriefing (2:43) after a Skype call: http://aroundtheworldwith80schools.net/blog/assessme Watch this Animoto video (3:12) thanking author Kate Messner for her Skype visit: http://animoto.com/play/H31VmsHFwDOAiMUIPt5k0A
(4:34) of students discussing jobs they have during Skype sessions: http://vimeo.com/16180041
& experts around the globe. Multicultural, global awareness, documentation, visually representing, & technology focus). Some technology examples: Google Maps, Google Earth, back channeling, blogging, data form creation, data collection, and videography.
See this video (5:00)
http://vimeo.com/9917988
http://vimeo.com/10333367
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4CVbIInVWo
In conclusion
Skype.
.Are you hyped?
References
My Diigo list of resources: