Modern Day Explorers Move beyond the walls of your classroom with Skype! Instructor: Kitty Tripp Skype contact name: GardenOfLearning

Introduction: Who am I? Kitty Tripp~ class website and class blogclass websiteclass blog 4 th grade math and science teacher at Wellford Academy of Science and Technology in Spartanburg District 5 National Board Certified Teacher 13 years of teaching experience Masters and +30 in technology Have ALWAYS been a technology enthusiast!

What is Skype? PollWhat is Skype? Poll: What best describes your current experiences with Skype? A video conferencing tool that allows you to connect with the world beyond your classroom…. global connections and collaboration!

Why Use Skype? To fully appreciate Skype, you should have a reason to use it before you start. Why do you want to use Skype? Reasons for Skyping in the classroomReasons for Skyping in the classroom: (just a few!) There are kids like me somewhere else in the world Experience different cultures, holidays, traditions Understand time zones Understand opposite seasons Foreign language interaction Collaboration about any curriculum topic Ask questions and compare information Collect data worldwide We live in a flat and increasingly smaller world and students need to know how to operate in it!

How to get started… Open an account: Handout 1 and Handout 2 Handout 1 Handout 2 Quick start tips for new Skype users or Edublog Skype tips Quick start tips for new Skype usersEdublog Skype tips Cool Cat Tips for Skype in the Classroom or Using Skype in the Classroom Cool Cat Tips for Skype in the ClassroomUsing Skype in the Classroom Begin searching for contacts (see more on slide 6) Begin thinking about activities you do with your curriculum that you could share or include other classes in. Explore, Explore, EXPLORE the menus and capabilities of Skype and these Skype links!Skype links Find a fellow teacher and begin practice skyping each other and then include your classes

Equipment Computer with internet Camera Microphone

Where can I get contacts from? Skype for Educators Edublogger: Classrooms ready to Skype Around the World With 80 Schools Classroom 2.0 Contacts you make on Twitter or through blogging connections

Possible ways to use Skype in your class: Mystery Skype Career Day Connect with troops overseas Debate with another class Have a national or international spelling bee Give short presentations Tour a building or place Present and describe cultural items or issues Interview each other for a news report Conduct a role play Critique presentations Provide feedback for reports Have foreign students practice their English Phone a friend for Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Interview an expert such as a famous author Tell a group story or have a poetry reading Virtual fieldtrips Mentoring younger grade levels below in any subject Connect with grade levels above to give your students insight Class buddies connections sharing simple daily event about your class To broadcast a guest speaker to other classes 10 Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom 50 ways to use Skype in the Classroom Skype an expert Skype and author

Safety Issues Always make contact through or the chat feature 1 st ! Find out school name, location, time zone, etc. Research this contact for safety and validity of who they say they are. If you feel comfortable, have a live call first without your class. Discuss the detail of your Skype as well as test the connections, equipment, etc. Before your live Skype with both classes, send a chat message first to make sure they are ready. If you have any doubt about a contact, err on the side of caution!

Support… Skype.com for tutorial and videos Youtube School or district IT personnel Follow Skype Helper on Twitter! My contact information: and or skype me at TheGardenOfLearning

What's the first baby step you would like to take in implementing Skype into your class? Skype Account: GardenOfLearning Twitter Account: Miss TrippsClass

Door prizes provide by: Look for SmileMakers on Skype and Facebook or check out SmileMakers.com SmileMakers.com