To prepare for the Skype chat, I made a list of video connections I've facilitated over the last couple of years along with a list of resources and tips. Thank you to Cathy Stakey for this opportunity.
Connect with experts - Don’t be afraid to ask
- 4th grade with Gail Petri, former Library of Congress Librarian talking about primary sources
- 4th grade with Yellowstone Park ranger (Skype info page)
- 3rd grade with Iditarod mushers (Iditarod teacher resource page)
- Anatomy and Physiology students with Seth Mnookin, author of THE PANIC VIRUS
- Media Literacy with Chuck Peters of the Cedar Rapids Gazette
- Technical Writing with Patrick Hogan, journalism student
Connect with authors - Especially if your students have read their books!
- 3rd grade with Barry Wolverton, author of NEVERSINK
- 4th grade with Kate Messner, author
- 2nd grade with Kim Norman, author
Connect with other educators - free professional development!
- Ci 302 Interview with Jamie Fath - Teacher Librarian
- Make a lipdub video - with Jennifer Zurawski
Connect with other classrooms
- 7th and 8th grade TAG - School uniforms (Global Classroom - a Skype group)
- World Read Aloud Day - multiple connections with classes around the United States
- World Read Aloud Day - a special evening Skype with a school in Singapore
- Iowa Teen Award Smackdown with students from SMS and 2 other Iowa schools
- Iowa Children’s Choice Award Smackdown with students from Lakeview and other Iowa schools
Connect with your community
- Lakeview Elementary News - playlist
Connect with your students
- From classroom to classroom - introduction to the middle school media center (using Bonjour)
- Exchange student reading an online book to 2nd graders while in another building
Resources and Tips
#mysteryskype - Twitter hashtag
Edmodo and ePals are also great way to find connections
Advice from personal experience
- Check time zones
- Practice in advance if possible
- Connect directly to ethernet (hard wired connection) if possible
- Locate the mute controls
- Get a backup email or cell phone number so you can work out last minute issues quickly
- Keep background noise to a minimum
- Avoid glaring lights and backlighting
- Don’t be afraid to ask experts to connect with you and your students
- Mentor your colleagues once you get comfortable
- Keep your open applications to a minimum
- Try to orient your camera so you don’t have to crouch or lean down to get in the frame
- Make sure you have good audio out so that your class can hear
- I just use the built in microphone. A headset with mic would be good for a broadcast
- Double check your equipment - power cord, extension cord, mic, projector, audio output
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