home

=The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Elementary Classroom Collaborations with Skype=

Mary Lou Best First Grade Teacher Northfield Elementary School mbest@ncs-nj.org

**Getting Ready**

 * **Get permission from your school**
 * It's in the standards!
 * Classroom collaborations - NJDOE CCCS 8.1.4.C.1. "Engage in __online discussions __ with learners in the United States or from other countries to understand their perspectives on a global problem or issue."
 * Identify high-level instructional goals
 * WHY/HOW WILL SKYPE BENEFIT THE KIDS?
 * Identify best practices
 * Assessment of Learning via Skype - Sylvia Tolisano
 * I.T. Department - may require "encouragement" to enable Skype use on your school network
 * Get your Instructional Leader's help
 * Have a plan
 * **Find someone to skype with (this can take a lot of time)**
 * Ask your Computer Teacher / Technology Facilitator / Tech-Savvy Colleague
 * See "Communities" Section on Reference Material page
 * Classroom partners may "flake out" on you
 * **Get permission from parents**
 * Explain the rationale & benefits
 * Let them know what happens if they opt out for their child
 * Collect Permission Forms (example)
 * **Create a Skype account**
 * Go to Skype.com and sign up
 * Create an account just for your classroom - do not use a personal Skype account!
 * Install the software & test
 * Be sure it is NOT set to START AUTOMATICALLY with your computer
 * WRITE DOWN YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD!

**Getting Set**

 * **First Skype with your partner teacher (be patient if not successful initially)**
 * Important to check bandwidth & familiarize yourself with the software
 * You need to learn the software
 * **Establish your game plan**
 * How often to Skype & when
 * Whole group or small group
 * Skype "Jobs" for Students (see Assessment of Learning via Skype - Sylvia Tolisano)
 * What will your classes do/discuss (topics and activities)
 * Follow-up activities (offline)
 * **Anticipate potential problems (always have a 'Plan B')**
 * Loss of connectivity / audio or video unavailable
 * Scheduling issues (things happen - fire drills, sickness, etc.)
 * Unexpected classroom management issues
 * Have a phone number for your classroom partner
 * **PRACTICE CONNECTING**
 * Ideally, exact same time of day (dress rehearsal) [time of day actually matters]
 * Using 'text chat', sending files

**Skype!**

 * Enjoy skyping with your class ~ have fun!
 * Keeping things on track
 * Be prepared and flexible ~ technical difficulties may arise