Reading Writing

My blog post: http://twrctank.com/2012/04/21/using-skype-in-the-classroom/

• 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-playlist

Before 1996

• Before 1996

• Reading

• Writing

• Speaking

• Listening

• In 1996, these were added

• Viewing

• Visually Representing

Virtual Author Visits (language arts focus)

• Virtual Author Visits (language arts focus)

• Skype Read Alouds on World Read Aloud Day (language arts focus)

• Global Author’s Chair—students 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…

A face-to-face or virtual meeting with the author of a book you read is a memorable experience.

• 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.

Skype might be blocked at your school

• Skype might be blocked at your school

• Bandwidth issues

• Can lose connection (but it’s usually easy to reconnect)

• No live book signings (could try to work that out in advance or get signed bookplates mailed to you)

Watch this book trailer video by Jake(0:28): http://vimeo.com/17269219

• Watch this book trailer video by Jake(0:28): http://vimeo.com/17269219

• Watch this video (2:12): http://vimeo.com/18438258

Contact your technology coordinator to see if you can use Skype at school. If you get the go ahead….

• Contact your technology coordinator to see if you can use Skype at 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 author’s books, websites, & social media presence (e.g. Facebook & Twitter accounts)

• 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.

Several hours before the event, do a practice run.

• Several hours before the event, do a practice run.

• If you want to show the videoconference on a big screen, make sure the LCD projector is working. (Could have 2 LCD projectors—1 for author’s 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 author’s books to read)

• If you are allowing just anyone to speak, have students sit in rows so movement is easier.

Have a tech helper on hand. 

• Have a tech helper on hand. 

• While the first student is asking a question, have the next one waiting “on deck.”

• Have them use protocols (e.g. Hello. My name is ___. My question is ____.)

• Could give students a handout with the questions so they can take notes OR have them use technology to backchannel (e.g. Today’s Meet).

Debrief as a group, including rereading the backchannel log. (Videotape it!)

• Debrief as a group, including rereading the backchannel log. (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/assessment-of-learning-via-skype/

• Watch this Animoto video (3:12) thanking author Kate Messner for her Skype visit: http://animoto.com/play/H31VmsHFwDOAiMUIPt5k0A

Watch this video (4:34) of students discussing jobs they have during Skype sessions: http://vimeo.com/16180041

• Watch this video (4:34) of students discussing jobs they have during Skype sessions: http://vimeo.com/16180041

Where in the world are they?

• Where in the world are they?

• Collaboration, communication, geography & critical thinking focus.

• See this video (5:49) http://vimeo.com/25284448
• See this backchannel transcript: http://todaysmeet.com/Mysterycall/transcript

Virtually & briefly visiting educators, students, & experts around the globe.

• Virtually & briefly visiting educators, students, & 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

Watch this video (20:50): http://vimeo.com/10333367

• Watch this video (20:50): http://vimeo.com/10333367

Skype….

• Skype….

• ….Are you hyped?

My Diigo list of resources: http://www.diigo.com/list/twrctank/skype

• 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-playlist