This document discusses how teachers can use Skype and Google Hangouts to open their classrooms and collaborate with other classes. It provides examples of how these tools have been used, such as skyping with poets, hosting a poetry slam with other classes, and collaborating on an Iowa history project. Tips are provided on setting up successful video calls, including preparing students, setting goals, and troubleshooting technical issues. Teachers are encouraged to be creative with uses like book clubs, science fairs, and connecting with other educators.

1. Opening Your Classroom, Flattening
Walls with Skype and Google+
Stephanie Laird
Mitchellville Elementary
Contact Information:
Stephanie.Laird@southeastpolk.org
Lairdlearning.weebly.com
@SLaird2

2. Overview
• Introductions
• Why Skype or Hangout
• Examples
• Teacher as a Professional
• Classroom
• Interact with Students
• Other Lesson Ideas
• Helpful Resources
• Question/Answer and Sharing Time
• Work Time

3. Introductions
• Stephanie Laird
– 4th and 5th Grade Title 1
Math and Reading Specialist
– Co-teacher in 1:1 Classrooms
• 4th Grade 1:1 iPads
• 5th Grade 1:1 MacBooks
– Masters candidate in
Curriculum and Instructional
Technology at Iowa State
University
• 5th Grade Students:
– Abbie
– Jordan
– Lucas
– Via Skype
• Hanah
• Valley
• Kennedee

4. Why Skype or Hangout?
• Bring experts into classroom
• Virtual fieldtrips
• Collaborate with classes around the
world
• Student research and interviews
• Face to face editing a document
from a distance

5. Tied to ISTE NETS
ISTE NETS-Students
– Communication and Collaboration
– Research and Information Fluency
– Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision
Making
– Digital Citizenship

6. Tied to ISTE NETS
ISTE NETS-Teachers
– Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and
Creativity
– Design and Develop Digital Age Learning
Experiences
– Promote and Model Digital Citizenship
– Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

7. Teacher Uses
• Parent Involvment
– Parent teacher conferences
– Quick showcase of work
• Readers Theatre
• Share a piece of writing
• Watch a student’s presentation
– Positive communication connection
– Celebration Planning

8. Teacher Uses
• Teacher Absence
• Present a lesson
• Showcase vacation information
• Catch up with what you’ve missed
• Supplemental Instruction
• After school
• Reteach or Demonstrate skills
• Absent Students
• Keep up with class
• Limits potential for information to be
misunderstood
• Maintains connection with students who are
frequently absent

9. Teacher Uses
• Teacher as a Professional
– PLC and PLN Meetings
• Book Discussions
• Goal Setting
• Support System
• Mentor Teacher Feedback
– Course Refreshers
– Virtually Attend Workshops
– Conference Speaking Opportunities

10. Slideshow of Skype and Google+

11. Poet Skype
• Skyped with four poets
o Caroline Starr Rose
o Irene Latham
o Mary Swander
o Debbie Levy
• Located through:
• Poet’s personal websites
• Poetry4Kids
• Skype an Author
• Students generated interview questions beforehand

12. Google+
Google Hangout Poetry Slam
• Connected with 3 classrooms at once
• Arranged through Twitter
• Students shared original poetry
• Provided an audience other than classroom
peers
• Learned new poetry types

13. What is Mystery Skype?
Video Created by: Jennifer Regruth

14. Mystery Skype
• Two classrooms Skype
• Student roles
• Clues/Questions Given
• Determine location
• Benefits:
– Map Skills -- Collaboration
– Following Directions -- Student Leadership
• How to set up:
– #mysteryskype
– Global Classroom

15. Skype and Google+ Map

16. Iowa History Skype
• A unique and motivating way to learn Iowa
History
• Arranged by Miranda Kral, Wellman Elementary
• Goal to Skype with all 99 Iowa counties
• We represented Polk county
– Students generated research questions
– Located information
– Shared facts and learning with Wellman 5th
graders
• Kral’s class shared about Washington County

17. Student Connections
• Over Skype, two wheelchair bound students
shared
– stories
– common experiences
– future hopes
• Resulted from our Google Hangout
• A great way to connect and support all
students

18. What Students Think…

19. Other Skype/Google Hangout Ideas
• Fellow Educators have suggested:
– Readers Theatre/Plays
– Mystery Reader
– Book Clubs
– Foreign Language Learning
– Social Studies Region of the U.S.
– Science or Technology Fairs

20. Helpful Resources
Twitter:
@SkypeClassroom
#mysteryskype
Websites:
Skype in Education
CybraryMan’s Website
Global Classroom’s Wiki
Mystery State Wiki
Blogs:
TheEduBlogger
The Global Classroom Project
Blogging through the Fourth Dimension
Skype Blogs

21. Tips
• Set a goal
• Test the Technology
• Prepare Students
• Provide Jobs and Expectations
• Debrief After
• Enjoy Collaborating!
Skype Add ons:
• Call Graph
• Record Skype Calls
• Talk n Write
• Free writing/screen sharing
• Unyte Application Sharing
• Screen sharing

22. Troubleshooting
Based on our experiences:
• Know your bandwidth
• Exit all other webcam programs
Skype:
• Make sure you’re privacy is set to “available” not “invisible”
• Use the “Skype Test Call”
Google Hangout:
• On Air Hangouts are recorded to the host’s YouTube account
• Verify time zone the Hangout was created in
• Choose appropriate audio setting
• If collaborating on a document, share through GoogleDocs first

23. Questions? Ideas to Share?

24. Take this time to explore and sign up for:
Contact Information:
Stephanie.Laird@southeastpolk.org
Lairdlearning.weebly.com
@SLaird2
Collaboration and Work Time
• Resources included on 1:1
wiki
• Skype Classrooms
• Global Classrooms
• Twitter