2. Why Skype?
Brings curriculum to life
Generates enthusiasm among students
Makes content relevant
Connect subjects to the real world
Aligned to Common Core Standards
3. Student Comments
“I can’t believe we could get a connection from
New York to China!”
“I learned to count in Mandarin!”
“I never heard of a star fruit before.”
Video
4. Making Connections
Skype in the Classroom
Find international and domestic contacts and projects
Skype an Author
Connects to authors interested in placing Skype calls
with classrooms
Epals
Connects to classrooms around the world
5. Be Creative and Relax!
Use your creativity - In the first year, we only had a
laptop webcam, so I used a box to create a makeshift
tripod.
Be prepared for something to go awry…just tackle it
with a smile and all will be fine.
6. Preparing Students – Day 1
Do a background lesson on your Skype contacts
using websites such as National Geographic
Have students brainstorm questions and potential
follow-up questions
Collect and choose questions that will elicit the most
interesting responses
Practice note taking with students so that they are
ready to take notes during the session
7. Preparing Students – Day 2
Type up the questions and distribute
Have children practice asking questions into the webcam
Review the importance of introducing themselves,
establishing eye contact and speaking in clear, loud voices
(with smiles!)
Prior to the session, let your students see themselves on
camera. This should serve to eliminate the desire for them
to jump up and down on camera during the main call.
8. How to Connect:
Download Skype by going to www.skype.com
Set up an account by following the simple directions
Type in your contact’s Skype name in the “Add contact” field
If your computer does not have a built-in webcam, plug the external
webcam’s USB cable into the USB port on your computer
Conduct a Skype Test Call in order to check the sound and video on
your computer
Choose “Video Call” to place your call
10. Post Skype Projects
Students write reflections (some of the best
writing to date!)
Create podcasts reflecting upon the experience
Develop digital stories based on the knowledge
gained in the Skype session
11. Press
TIME Magazine
Skype Blog – World Read Aloud Day
New York Teacher Magazine
12. For More Information…
For help as you set up your Skype sessions,
feel free to email me at
rosensta@ardsleyschools.org.
Presented by: Amy Rosenstein
