June 20th, 2014 – Turn your computer into a ‘Mystery Machine’

I understand that everyone is in wind down mode; packing and preparing for a relaxing and restful summer, so when the time comes to begin planning for next year, I have a cool new idea to try with your class – Mystery Skyping!

The concept is simple – classes Skype call one another and try to guess where the other class is located.  One class I am aware of has connected with over 45 different locations around the world during this school year. 

You can either sign up via an online connection site such as 4th Chat Mystery Skype, #Mystery Skype or Mystery State or you can use twitter to make your own connections (#MysterySkype).  Then agree upon a date and time to meet up online – don’t forget about the time alterations due to time zone changes.  Prepare your students to begin answering questions about their part of the world, such as climate, weather, famous people from the area, etc.  Also help them to determine what questions they may be asked by the other classroom and how they will respond.  Some classes choose to group students into different roles - inquirers, researchers, responders, recorders, and mappers.  This way students will not be asking the same question multiple times, and the information can be synthesized into a coherent guess. 

When the call starts, you can simply take on the role of coach and facilitator and allow the students to lead the activity.  Many classes choose to take turns asking questions, however you and your partner class teacher may choose an alternate method. Once the students think they know the location of the Skype callers, they are allowed to make their guess. 

Once the classes have determined where they are located, allow them some time to discuss how their lives are similar or different and to interact with one another.  This is a great way to break down the classroom walls and bring other countries into your classroom.     

Cheers,

Stace

March 1, 2013 - Getting Caught Up In The World Wide Web

Welcome to the weekend everyone,

The creation of the internet has given us the ability to bring the entire world into the classroom, yet we have not begun to tap the full global possibilities that exist as a result of this innovation.  Reading about world news, researching various cultures and environmental issues are all formats that teachers are using to incorporate globalization into the class; however there are many other  ways to turn your students into citizens of the world. 

Why not involve your students in an authentic learning project that will connect them to classrooms around the world?  i-EARN (http://iearn-canada.org/ and http://www.iearn.org/) is the International Education and Resource Network, which is a non-profit organization made up of over 30 000 schools in more than 130 countries.  With over 150 projects to choose from on topics ranging from science and technology to language arts and humanities, you are sure to find a theme which fits your curriculum and will engage your students.  Through an online forum teachers and students connect and collaborate with others working on the same project.   Writing an online novel, an international teddy bear exchange and holiday card creation and exchange are some of the amazing possibilities that your class can participate in with iEARN.

You’ve tried pen pals but have you ever thought about ePals?  ePals (http://www.epals.com/index.php) provides a framework for teachers to connect their classrooms to others around the world based on student age, world region or discussion themes and content.  Students are able to practice their language skills via secure online written forums and web camera applications.  This is a great opportunity for students to practice their French and English language skills (both written and oral) with students whose first language may not be our own.  In addition, classrooms can be matched up based upon the topics they wish to discuss such as children’s rights, environmental issues and even school life and common activities.  There are thousands of students waiting to connect with others around the globe and share their knowledge and experiences.  

United Classrooms (http://uclass.org/), Skype in the Classroom (https://education.skype.com/) and Flat Classroom (http://www.flatclassroomproject.org/) are only some of the many other opportunities which exist online and break down the walls of your classroom, inviting students of the world to learn with your class.  I feel that in today’s society if we are going to ever hope for peace and coexistence, we need to begin by teaching students to think globally and have compassion for others around the world who are more like them than they tend to realize.

Cheers,

Stace