Hopefully you're starting to get convinced, and maybe even excited, about using Skype in a classroom. Good!
Just be aware that there are some issues around getting young people in front of a webcam and onto Skype.
Firstly, you're going to need to get permission. Parents will need to give their approval and there might also be a member of the school faculty that oversees this area you will need to talk to. They will be able to tell you more about their schools specific policies regarding this and how to go about it. Your mentor teacher needs to be willing as well.
Make sure Skype isn't blocked at the school you're placed in. If it is there will usually be someone you can talk to about getting it unblocked. Getting a whole class in front of the white board and then finding you can't actually connect will give you something good to write about in the challenges section of your lesson review, but won't make for a very enjoyable or valuable lesson for the kids.
Thirdly, test it out! Even if Skype is unblocked things can still go wrong. A five minute dry run, ideally one week before, and then in the break immediately before the lesson should ensure everything runs smoothly.
I'd also recommend that this be something you do as a class, or under heavy supervision, rather than an activity the kids perform alone. Not only will they benefit from your guidance and knowledge, but it's important to make sure that the technology is being used responsibly and appropriately. Remember, this is a two way window from your classroom into the outside world. One of the things you're teaching the students is how they will be expected to behave when engaging with members of the community in this way.
Finally, model it for them! Be confident when using Skype and conduct yourself in the same way you would expect the kids to. Last but not least, enjoy yourself! Your students will be.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Skype in the Classroom
I wish I'd found this before I started the blog!
http://education.skype.com/
Wow. Most of the work has been done for you. A great way to connect with other teachers and classrooms around the world.
http://education.skype.com/
Wow. Most of the work has been done for you. A great way to connect with other teachers and classrooms around the world.
Dimensions of Literacy
http://dimensionsofliteracy.wikispaces.com/Home+-+Information+Literacy
This webpage explains the dimensions of literacy much better than I could. But when looking at the descriptions of Digital-Age Literacy it's interesting to see how many Skype dovetails into:
Basic literacy (traditional English literacy skills), technology literacy (use of the computer, Skype, the internet and the interactive white board), visual literacy (knowing how to create and interpret video), information literacy, multicultural literacy (dependent on the subject you're skyping) and global awareness (not just of other countries and cultures, but of organisations, groups, corporations etc).
Using Skype is such a richly scaffolded literacy experience for kids. How could you not use it?
This webpage explains the dimensions of literacy much better than I could. But when looking at the descriptions of Digital-Age Literacy it's interesting to see how many Skype dovetails into:
Basic literacy (traditional English literacy skills), technology literacy (use of the computer, Skype, the internet and the interactive white board), visual literacy (knowing how to create and interpret video), information literacy, multicultural literacy (dependent on the subject you're skyping) and global awareness (not just of other countries and cultures, but of organisations, groups, corporations etc).
Using Skype is such a richly scaffolded literacy experience for kids. How could you not use it?
A VEL-id Learning Tool
Using Skype in the classroom isn't just fun and engaging for students, it can also cover a wide range of VELS curriculum areas.
Lets look at the obvious one first: English (Physical, Personal and Social Learning). Classroom use of Skype involves speaking and listening, but it can also involve reading and writing too. For example, if the person the class is skyping is in a different country you could plan a previous lesson around researching that country and writing questions for the class to ask the speaker. Even the act of navigating and loading Skype can be a reading lesson, if the class is allowed to do this themselves (with assistance and supervision) rather than having the teacher do it for them.
Clearly Communication and ICT (Interdisciplinary Learning) are covered as well. But a Skype lesson can also be a Civics lesson (Civic Knowledge and Understanding and Community Engagement), involves Interpersonal Development (Building social relationships) and can integrate any number of other areas.
To take the example we used earlier, if you are skyping with a resident of another country this easily could include aspects of Humanities, Geography, Languages Other Than English and even History.
Lets look at the obvious one first: English (Physical, Personal and Social Learning). Classroom use of Skype involves speaking and listening, but it can also involve reading and writing too. For example, if the person the class is skyping is in a different country you could plan a previous lesson around researching that country and writing questions for the class to ask the speaker. Even the act of navigating and loading Skype can be a reading lesson, if the class is allowed to do this themselves (with assistance and supervision) rather than having the teacher do it for them.
Clearly Communication and ICT (Interdisciplinary Learning) are covered as well. But a Skype lesson can also be a Civics lesson (Civic Knowledge and Understanding and Community Engagement), involves Interpersonal Development (Building social relationships) and can integrate any number of other areas.
To take the example we used earlier, if you are skyping with a resident of another country this easily could include aspects of Humanities, Geography, Languages Other Than English and even History.
OK it Sounds Good, but is it Literacy?
It's a fact that students, even those in primary school, are spending more time in front of computer and digital device screen than in front of books or even TV. For todays primary students being able to use a computer, mobile phone, knowing how to use email and understanding the internet are just as important as traditional written literacy.
Just as their ability to navigate and communicate globally (often virtually rather than face to face) will be vitally important in the coming years.
So why not utilise their familiarity and comfort of use with these technologies in the classroom now to prepare them for the challenges and opportunities they will face. And perhaps more importantly the interactive white board and Skype are things your students want to be using. They'll find it fun and engaging. Why not give them a task that mirrors what they do at home and embraces their world, rather than trying to get them to fit into an educational experience that is becoming increasingly divorced from their reality.
Just as their ability to navigate and communicate globally (often virtually rather than face to face) will be vitally important in the coming years.
So why not utilise their familiarity and comfort of use with these technologies in the classroom now to prepare them for the challenges and opportunities they will face. And perhaps more importantly the interactive white board and Skype are things your students want to be using. They'll find it fun and engaging. Why not give them a task that mirrors what they do at home and embraces their world, rather than trying to get them to fit into an educational experience that is becoming increasingly divorced from their reality.
Using Skype in the Classroom
While you can use Skype on classroom computers and laptops, I think it works best when displayed on your classroom digital white board. This screen is usually fairly centrally located in the class and is big enough for all students to view and interact with it at once.
While making a Skype call you'll also want whomever is on the other end to be able to see you and your class too. Interactivity is one of Skype's most powerful attributes. While making a Skype call the picture from your webcam will be displayed as a small image in the bottom corner of the screen. From my experience kids enjoy being able to see themselves in this window while making a Skype call almost as much as they enjoy seeing the other party, so it's important to angle your laptop or webcam so that your class can be clearly viewed.
So who would your class call on Skype? You can only call people that you have added to your Skype friends list (which means you don't have to worry about unauthorised third parties getting digital access to your classroom). We will cover adding friends in the next post (don't worry, it's easy!) but for now let's talk about who you might call.
Some ideas:
While making a Skype call you'll also want whomever is on the other end to be able to see you and your class too. Interactivity is one of Skype's most powerful attributes. While making a Skype call the picture from your webcam will be displayed as a small image in the bottom corner of the screen. From my experience kids enjoy being able to see themselves in this window while making a Skype call almost as much as they enjoy seeing the other party, so it's important to angle your laptop or webcam so that your class can be clearly viewed.
So who would your class call on Skype? You can only call people that you have added to your Skype friends list (which means you don't have to worry about unauthorised third parties getting digital access to your classroom). We will cover adding friends in the next post (don't worry, it's easy!) but for now let's talk about who you might call.
Some ideas:
- A trusted friend or relative that is overseas or in another part of Australia.
- An employee or member of the local council in their office.
- Another class or teacher.
- A professional like a builder, marine biologist, etc. onsite or at their place or work (without the costs of an excursion).
The list is only limited by your imagination. We will talk more about how skyping with these people can facilitate classroom literacy and learning, but I'm sure you're already beginning to think about some lessons you could create that students would find both entertaining, engaging and valuable.
A SMART white board is your friend.
Getting and Using Skype
Skype is easy to download and install. Visit the Skype website:
http://www.skype.com
At the top you'll see a link that says 'Get Skype'. Click on this and select your device type (device = Windows computer of laptop, a Mac or a mobile phone or tablet). If you're not sure what you have ask me in the comments section.
You can then choose between the free version of Skype and a paid version. The free version is all you will need to make free calls to other Skype users in the classroom.
Click on the link underneath the version you chose that says 'Download Skype'. You'll need to create and account before the download begins (or sign in if you already have one), but don't worry this is easy and only take a couple of minutes. The reason you need to do this is so that other people will be able to find and call you using Skype. Your username is like your Skype phone number.
When you're done click 'I agee - Continue' at the bottom and your download will begin! From there you just need to follow the prompts and pretty soon your Skype will be ready to go.
If you have any questions, ask them in the comments. Always happy to help.
http://www.skype.com
At the top you'll see a link that says 'Get Skype'. Click on this and select your device type (device = Windows computer of laptop, a Mac or a mobile phone or tablet). If you're not sure what you have ask me in the comments section.
You can then choose between the free version of Skype and a paid version. The free version is all you will need to make free calls to other Skype users in the classroom.
Click on the link underneath the version you chose that says 'Download Skype'. You'll need to create and account before the download begins (or sign in if you already have one), but don't worry this is easy and only take a couple of minutes. The reason you need to do this is so that other people will be able to find and call you using Skype. Your username is like your Skype phone number.
When you're done click 'I agee - Continue' at the bottom and your download will begin! From there you just need to follow the prompts and pretty soon your Skype will be ready to go.
If you have any questions, ask them in the comments. Always happy to help.
Why use Skype?
Skype is a great way to keep in touch for free. But it can also be a powerful tool for teaching literacy in the classroom. Properly structured classroom lessons using Skype are a great way of developing written and spoken literacy, listening and computer skills, and social awareness.
The first thing you'll need is Skype. After all, how can you teach it if you don't know how to use it yourself? In my next post you'll find out where Skype is, how to download it, and how to get it up and running!
The first thing you'll need is Skype. After all, how can you teach it if you don't know how to use it yourself? In my next post you'll find out where Skype is, how to download it, and how to get it up and running!
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