Jamie

What's All the Hype About Skype?

Most of you have heard of Skype and might even use it regularly to make free voice and video calls to other subscribers but did you know there are multiple ways of using it in your classroom?  Last year, Miss Rudder helped arrange Mystery Skype sessions for several classes across the grade levels.  Topics ranged from mystery numbers to guessing each other's locations.  My class had so much fun that when I saw that there would be a session at TCEA, I was excited to learn more.

Microsoft Education has streamlined Skype in the Classroom and made it even easier for teachers to start using it.  Skype is free and takes only a few minutes to get signed up.  As an educator, you have access to a variety of resources. Here are several ways that any teacher could integrate Skype into their lessons.

Mystery Skype

• Set up your availability and see other classes interested in participating
• Students can learn a variety of skills
• Geography
• Math
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving

Get more information about Mystery Skype here

Talk to Popular Authors and Illustrators

• Bring an exciting addition to book studies
• Ask the author or illustrator questions about their work
• Inspire young writers through an authentic experience

Check out Kate Messner's page for participating authors

Virtual Field Trips

• Explore the world from your classroom, free of charge
• Take your students places they might not otherwise get to experience 
• Invite guest speakers to showcase their workplace
• Interview experts on specific topic
• No need for additional equipment or transportation

Collaborate With Other Schools

• Share performances and presentations with other classes working on a similar subject
• Engage in PLC with other educators from all over the world
• Share or search lesson plans
• Think pen pals for the digital age (Skype Translator coming soon)

 

How will you use Skype in your classroom?  Visit the Microsoft Education website here to get started.

Here are a few more things worth checking out:

• Spelling City - interactive spelling practice
• available online or in app (supported on all devices); 
• free basic account available to educators and students; 
• no login required for students; 
• Words Their Way and other pre-made lists ready to use
• Write About This or Tell About This - visual writing prompts and creation platform that gives students the ability to record written reponses and audio within program to be saved or shared
• free or paid versions available for desktop and iPad
• Popplet - visual mind-mapping tool for students to organize ideas and make connections
• free and paid versions available online or for iPad
• PhotoMath - calculator that utilizes the camera on your device to solve math problems
• scan or enter problems for immediate solutions
• gives step-by-step explanation for computation