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Structuring Change in the Structuring Change in the Classroom with SkypeClassroom with SkypeKathy Beck and Linda Lerch - Iredell Statesville Schools
North Carolina Technology North Carolina Technology In Education SocietyIn Education Society
March 5 and 6, 2009
About SkypeAbout Skype
“Skype was founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis. Skype created a little piece of software that makes communicating with people around the world easy and fun. With Skype you can say hello or share a laugh with anyone, anywhere. And if both of you are on Skype, it’s free.”
“Skype is available in 28 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding. Skype, based in Luxembourg, has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers and is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).”
Skype makes it easy to connect to other people, other cultures, and other countries. Classrooms may not have telephones, but they are often wired for the Internet. Skype is a service that teachers and students can access using the hardware they already have in their rooms.
Skype makes it easy to have school beyond the classroom door.
Easily covers numerous North Carolina
Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS) Competency
Goals and Objectives.
Kindergarten - Competency Goal 1, 1.13
1st Grade - Competency Goal 1, 1.01
2nd Grade - Competency Goal 1, 1.01 & 1.15
Competency Goal 2, 2.12
3rd Grade - Competency Goal 1, 1.17
4th Grade - Competency Goal 1, 1.01 & 1.14
Competency Goal 2, 2.12 & 2.13
5th Grade - Competency Goal 1, 1.01
Competency Goal 2, 2.13 & 2.16
+ NCSCOS = Global Learners
Also covers Middle and
High School Competencies.
6 - 8 - Competency Goal 1 - 1.01, 1.04, 1.11, 1.13, 1.14
Competency Goal 2 - 2.09, 2.06
Competency Goal 3 – 3.01, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13
9 - 12 - Competency Goal 1 - 1.01, 1.02,
Competency Goal 2 - 2.02,
Competency Goal 3 - 3.FL01,3.FL02,3SS03, 3SS04,3WD01,3WD02, 3WD.03, 3WD04,3SC02, 3SC03
+ NCSCOS = Global Learners
What you needWhat you need
• ComputerComputer
• Internet Connection Internet Connection
• MicrophoneMicrophone
Free CallingFree Calling
• No charges• No used cell phone minutes• Use your internet connection and turn your
computer into an internet phone and make free Skype-to-Skype calls.
• You and your friend will need to have a headset (or use your computer’s built-in microphone and speakers) to talk to each other. You can really improve the sound quality of your calls with a headset.
What you can addWhat you can add
• WebcamWebcam
By Adding a WebcamBy Adding a Webcam
• Video calls can make conversations much more interesting and informative. Share by showing.
• Get great picture and sound quality, with faces that fill up your screen.
• It’s free to video a ‘hello’• Video calls, like Skype-to-Skype calls are free,
so seeing your friends won't cost a thing, no matter where they are in the world.
VideoVideo
• Make sure you've– installed the software that came with your
webcam.– plugged it into your computer
What Can You Do With Skype?What Can You Do With Skype?
• ALL FREE– PC to PC Calls– Video Calls– Conference Calls– Group Chat Rooms – Instant Messaging– Send Files
• FOR A FEE– Call Mobile Phones– Call land lines– Forward calls to a
phone when you’re offline
Some Things to ConsiderSome Things to Consider
• Standard Definition upload speed – 128kb/sec
• High definition upload speed – 384 kb/sec
• Speedtest.net
Simple DownloadSimple Download
Follow Download InstructionsFollow Download Instructions
• Click Run
• Follow the Download Wizard
• You will create a screen name during this process. This is how others will find you.
Click on the Skype Click on the Skype IconIcon
Search for your friendSearch for your friend
Add a contact Find
Enter their Skype Name, Full Enter their Skype Name, Full Name or Email addressName or Email address
This person needs to accept your request.Until then, their status will appear as offline.Once they’ve accepted, you’ll see when they come online.
In the main window, click the In the main window, click the green Video call button.green Video call button.
Smile, wave, say hello!Smile, wave, say hello!
Useful things you can doUseful things you can do
• Resize the screen – click and drag the corner of the video screen to make it bigger or smaller.
• Move it around – click and drag the video of yourself around your screen.
• IM at the same time – click the Show messages link at the top of the video to instant message while you're on the call.
In the ClassroomIn the Classroom
How will using Skype structure change in your classroom?
CollaborationCollaboration
Skype is a natural environment for student collaboration.
– Students can talk with each other – Send files to everyone in the group to review
and interject with text comments. – Archives of Skype text messaging
conversations can bring fellow students up-to-date.
– Students can work on school newspapers, use video to practice for a play, try debate strategies, and even organize school events.
Structure Change by using Structure Change by using Skype to…Skype to…
Conduct collaborative research with students in another part of the world.
– Learn about students and life in other countries.
– Help your students be global learners.
• Learn a language.
• Help English as a Second Language students practice conversation skills.
• Add new life to a pen pal project by adding audio and video.
• Master a foreign language or practice a phrase. Create a gathering place to reach language learners.
Practice communication with Practice communication with another language or culture.another language or culture.
• When you cannot have an expert come to you - Skype to them.
• Hold a poetry reading at which an actual poet in another state reads to your class -- or vice versa.
• Brainstorm teaching ideas with an out-of-town mentor.
Structure Change by using Structure Change by using Skype to…Skype to…
Ask questions of experts
Experience a virtual field trip without buses and entrance fees.
Provide mentoring or homework help
• Include an ill student in daily classroom discussions.
• Conduct a conference call for a club or other small group of students.
• Monitor your class while away.
Structure Change by using Structure Change by using Skype to…Skype to…
HomeworkHomework
Skype can double as
• A quick connection to a teacher or librarian.
• Or even a traveling parent for a child in the midst of a homework crisis.
Children with Special NeedsChildren with Special Needs
Children with special needs often have unique problems that make the school experience
difficult. • By using Skype you can assist these children in
sharing events in the classroom which they might not be able to describe.
• Teachers can send a description of the day over a chat or file transfer.
• Offer Skype conference hours after school or during planning periods.
• Skype can also offer a unique combination of accessible modes of language.
• Children who are blind can join in an audio Skype conference.
• Children who are hearing impaired can engage in a written chat.
• Children who use sign language can use the video mode as well as the chat for maximum flexibility.
• Children who are homebound can actually join in a school-based classroom without expensive teleconferencing equipment.
ModelingModeling
Teachers can also help direct a parent with a struggling learner by modeling teaching techniques. The parent and child are at home and the teacher can coach through Skype.
Read AloudsOne important way to inspire children to read is
by reading to them. – Schools can arrange to have an author read a story
over Skype so that the entire class can enjoy a favorite book and then ask questions for an author study.
– Other Readers might be local business owners, elected officials, athletes, or other local leaders.
– Local theater groups get involved in literacy education by offering read-alouds in classrooms.
Structure Change by using Structure Change by using Skype to…Skype to…
Conduct parent conferences
Structure Change by using Structure Change by using Skype to…Skype to…
Collaborate with other teachers
Provide and/or Participate in Professional Development
Conduct virtual classes (distance learning) in an informal setting.
Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development
• Skype brings professional development to the teacher, coach, or mentor when and where they need it.
• With Skype, teacher mentors can deliver personalized training directly to the classroom on subjects teachers need.
• Skype skips the expense, the travel, and the time out of the classroom for teachers.
Using Other FREEBIES…Using Other FREEBIES………Like CamStudio & Google EarthLike CamStudio & Google Earth
At this point in the presentation
• Linda shared uses for CamStudio and Google Earth.
• She opened Google Earth and demonstrated how she would share with the class a visual of their location and then pan out to the location where they would be communicating with another school on SKYPE.
CamStudio
• She also demonstrated how you can use CamStudio to record everything that you do on your computer screen as well as narrations.
• She often records her lessons to be used as reviews, or for her substitute to open so that it appears Linda is teaching the class when she is absent.
• At this time in the presentation we shared a CamStudio recorded session which was recorded while using Google Earth and another which was recorded during a session Skyping another school in Yadkin County, NC.
How We Have Used Skype to How We Have Used Skype to Communicate School to SchoolCommunicate School to School
Students from Mt. Mourne Elementary and Yadkinville Elementary school posed questions to each other.
Students were able to see the other students and hear their questions and responses.
What We Have LearnedWhat We Have Learned
• You will need to provide lessons in Skype behavior– Is this activity as important as a phone call. This is
Educational NOT social networking.– Dialing etiquette.– Movement while using a webcam.– Provide a stationary microphone and have the
students move to it to avoid excess noise while passing a microphone from student to student
– Have Questions prepared.– Skype from a well lit room.
These photos show the class while participating in a Skyping activity.
Other Examples of Skype Other Examples of Skype in the Classroomin the Classroom
• Around the World with 80 Schools http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/01/03/around-the-world-with-80-schools/
An elementary school in Jacksonville, Florida wants to take on the challenge to connect with at least 80 schools in different countries and continents. They want to circle the globe in the next 6 months.
NC Teacher Academy NC Teacher Academy and Skypeand Skype
• Dan Froelich of North Carolina Teacher Academy has a wiki about “Skype in Education”. Join him and the other 170 people who have made contributions to this wiki. You can access the site at http://skypeinschools.pbwiki.com
• The site was created December 2008.
Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources
• http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7610864481757219171&q=genre%3Aeducational+coolcatteacher
A video from a teacher about how to get started “Skype-ing” • http://learningismessy.com/blog/?p=196 A touching video about a girl with leukemia who gets to “go to
school” because of Skype.• http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-4420
.html Yep, that’s right. Skype for dummies! Good resource!
How to Find Other Classrooms How to Find Other Classrooms Using SkypeUsing Skype
• http://theedublogger.edublogs.org/want-to-connect-with-other-classrooms/
Presenters and Presenters and Contact InformationContact Information
• Kathy Beck – Instructional Technology Coordinator – Iredell Statesville Schools [email protected]
• Linda Lerch – Technology Teacher – Mount Mourne Elementary School [email protected]
NCTIES – March 2009
