"The more that we can foster connections, relationships, interactions with those outside of their own natural comfort zone, they'll be better global citizens."
~ Alyssa Gallagher, Assistant Superintendent
see it in action
live learning"Skype makes global learning possible in a way that we cannot replicate." The barriers to cross-cultural learning are being dismantled.
Even speaking different languages is no longer a constraint for classrooms collaborating via Skype! Check out the video in the tab below to see how Skype Translator is being used to connect classrooms and students who speak different languages. |
gaining perspectiveThe Southport School on Australia's Gold Coast is using Skype Classroom to conduct action research with their 6th graders. Through collaboration with up to 20 other classes, they are asking: "What unites 11 year olds around the globe? Do they see the world similarly or completely differently? Can learning more about each other's worlds create more empathetic and understanding students?"
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connecting classrooms across continentsFrom math talks across divisions down the hall, shared reading with classes down the road, and participation in annual global read alouds, to Science standards, curiosity, and an understanding of the personal impacts of global issues, Skype addresses all these needs in unparalleled ways as teachers connect their students. Hear more in students' own words below:
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mystery skype!
"It's really a team effort to win |
The pre-eminent class-to-class collaborative connection is undoubtedly the Mystery Skype call. A global guessing game invented by Skyping teachers, Mystery Skype connects two classes somewhere in the world but only their teachers know where. The object of a traditional Mystery Skype game is to be the first class to discover the details of the geographic location of the other using a series of carefully considered questions which are continually adjusted based upon their response. Originally played as a geography-based game, some teachers are now connecting classes to enjoy and improve numeracy and problem solving skills using Math Mystery Skype.
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Popular enough to have its own hashtag (see below), Mystery Skype involves every student in the class, although few of them will appear on camera or participate vocally in the call. This style of call is, arguably, more intensive than other kinds of whole class call experiences, but the organization and front-loading required for a successful Mystery Skype game is well worth the effort.
Teachers report watching in amazement as their classes embrace the responsibility and fun, taking their individual jobs very seriously and begging to play again (not to mention noticing a marked improvement in their geography skills!) Ensuring that each student has a specific job is good practice for any Skype call but is essential for a successful game of Mystery Skype. Thankfully, there is a whole community of teachers ready and willing to share tips and tricks.
Teachers report watching in amazement as their classes embrace the responsibility and fun, taking their individual jobs very seriously and begging to play again (not to mention noticing a marked improvement in their geography skills!) Ensuring that each student has a specific job is good practice for any Skype call but is essential for a successful game of Mystery Skype. Thankfully, there is a whole community of teachers ready and willing to share tips and tricks.