The wonders of Skype in connecting classes in Seattle in the USA and Hillcrest in South Africa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Submitted by Fiona Beal</em></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I</i><em>n July 2011 I was very privileged to attend the inaugural Microsoft Partner’s in Learning Institute in Seattle. Whilst there I connected with a virtual blogging friend, Julie Hembree, who visited me at my hotel. It is really exciting to meet virtual technology friends for the first time. Since then Julie has gone on to be an Edublogs winner with her amazing librarian blog, </em><em><a href="http://bellbulldogreaders.edublogs.org/">Bulldog Readers</a>,</em><em> plus a United States finalist in the Partners in Learning Global Forum held in Prague 2013. I used her insights in a </em><a href="http://e-blogschool.blogspot.com/2013/02/teachers-ever-wondered-what-takes-place.html"><em>post</em></a><em> I recently wrote about the Forum. Last year Julie wrote and asked if I knew of anyone she could send books to and form a virtual connection with in South Africa. I wrote a blogpost about it and sent the respondents' names to Julie. Well, that connection has happened which I am very excited about, and I have asked Julie if I could use her  </em><em><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/2013/03/06/skyping-across-10000-miles/">post</a>s</em><em> as a guest post. The books have actually gone to a semi-rural school in Kwazulu-Natal near the <a href="http://www.msinsi.co.za/inanda-dam.php">Inanda Dam</a>. Highbury School collaborates with the school. On March 18th, the 7th year students at Highbury will travel to Ndlokolo Primary School to deliver the books for Julie. Thank you Julie for sharing the story on the Internet! So in this post we will first tell you about the background to the books, and then we will tell you about the skype conversation with Highbury Prep that took place on World Reaad Aloud Day!</em></span><br /><em><br /></em><strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong> <br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>This first part of the story comes from Julie’s <a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/2013/03/02/books-on-their-way-to-south-africa/">Books on their way to Africa</a> post</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Our first shipment of books is en route to South Africa! </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/map-NPS-south-africa-1ktq3wz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="233" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/map-NPS-south-africa-1ktq3wz.jpg" title="map NPS south africa" width="352" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These boxes are going to our partner school, <a href="http://www.hps.co.za/">Highbury Prep School </a>in Hillcrest, South Africa. We will be <a href="https://education.skype.com/">Skyping</a> with some 3rd year students from Highbury on Wednesday before school to jointly celebrate <a href="http://litworld.org/worldreadaloudday/">World Read Aloud Day</a>. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/Highbury-15dx1v9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="292" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/Highbury-15dx1v9.jpg" title="Highbury" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Highbury Prep School works with a semi-rural school near the <a href="http://www.msinsi.co.za/inanda-dam.php">Inanda Dam</a>. On March 18th, the 7th year students at Highbury will travel to Ndlokolo Primary School. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/Ndlokolo-Primary-school-265n1hv.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="286" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/Ndlokolo-Primary-school-265n1hv.jpg" title="Ndlokolo Primary school" width="448" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The students have been collecting “mealie meals” a type of breakfast porridge made from white maize, beans and Easter eggs to bring to the students at Ndlokolo. They will also bring the books we have sent, as long as they get there in time! <a href="http://www.natureschoice.co.za/bio-friendly/milled-flour-bran/white-mealie-meal-2/">Mealie meal</a> is made from the same ingredients as corn flakes. It is a staple meal in most African countries. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It took a lot of work and fundraising to get to the shipment stage of our project! To make this exchange more personal, our students placed stickers inside each book and then signed them. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0370c-16gnquw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="336" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0370c-16gnquw.jpg" title="IMG_0370c" width="448" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we counted out piles of books and made sure we had the most books we could fit into each box. The maximum weight for a box has to be less than 20 pounds. We figured out that we can fit about 50 paperback picture books  in a 20 pound box. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0372c-pc56oi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="336" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0372c-pc56oi.jpg" title="IMG_0372c" width="448" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also added some handmade bookmarks and some cards. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0375c-sxt5cv.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="336" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0375c-sxt5cv.jpg" title="IMG_0375c" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0376c-1qwynfj.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="336" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0376c-1qwynfj.jpg" title="IMG_0376c" width="448" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boxes were closed and taped up. Mrs. Hembree filled out the customs paperwork and then took them to the post office. It is supposed to take between 6-10 business days for the boxes to arrive.” </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>This next part of the story comes from Julie’s <a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/2013/03/06/skyping-across-10000-miles/">Skyping across 10000 miles</a> post </b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"This morning we made a Skype video call with some students at Highbury Prep School in Hillscrest, South Africa. If you would like to go on a virtual tour of the school, click on this <a href="http://www.hps.co.za/images/virtualtour/Highbury_School.html">Highbury Prep School </a>link. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0410com-13pleaa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="332" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0410com-13pleaa.jpg" title="IMG_0410com" width="448" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was 8:15 am in Seattle, WA and 6:16pm in Hillcrest. That’s a 9 hour time difference! </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0411com-2hhjzxu.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="336" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0411com-2hhjzxu.jpg" title="IMG_0411com" width="448" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We chose to Skype on this particular day because it’s <a href="http://litworld.org/worldreadaloudday/">World Read Aloud Day</a>, an international day to draw attention to the importance of literacy around the world. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before the call, the students brainstormed some questions to ask the students at Highbury. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0433com-1u9o2je.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="336" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0433com-1u9o2je.jpg" title="IMG_0433com" width="377" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then at 8:15 we made the video call, with no technical difficulties! We were communicating across 10,100 or more miles (16,976 km). </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0413com-20bb2a9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="336" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0413com-20bb2a9.jpg" title="IMG_0413com" width="448" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had students from kindergarten to 5th grade,  two teachers -Mrs. Hynden, Mrs. Lustgarten and a parent- Mrs. Yates participate in the call. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0415com-1j081fr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="336" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0415com-1j081fr.jpg" title="IMG_0415com" width="448" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We exchanged questions back and forth and learned we have a lot of similarities and some differences too. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some of the similarities: </span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we study study English, math, science. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we love PE! </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we like books </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we have technology </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we attend great schools</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some differences: </span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they wear uniforms to school </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">only boys attend their school </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they study two languages at school (in addition to English): Afrikaans and isiZulu </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they have 11 official languages in South Africa </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">their school day is 7:30am – 2:00pm, except on days they have “sport” </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the entire school attends after school sport and learn swimming, rugby, soccer, etc. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it’s hot there right now – in the 90′s (32 Celcius) </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we use Netbooks and they use iPads</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During our call, we tried speaking Afrikaans and isiZulu. They taught us how to say Hello in both languages. They were also surprised to hear how many of our students speak another language. They said we are very “international”! </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We found out the boxes of books we sent have not yet arrived, but hopefully will soon. Mrs. Dunstone said sometimes things take longer in Africa. As soon as they do arrive, she promised to take pictures and share with us. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our call lasted about 20-25 minutes and then it was time to say goodbye! The time just flew by! However, we did have a few minutes for donuts and juice before school. Mrs. Hynden showed us some of her photos from South Africa and figurines from Swaziland when she visited there in the late 80′s. She remembered going to the beach in Durban, which is about 45 minutes from Hillcrest. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0417com-11tz5zi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="448" src="http://bookstoafrica.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/IMG_0417com-11tz5zi.jpg" title="IMG_0417com" width="336" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone filled out a card and shared a positive statement about the call. Here are some of the students said: </span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I liked seeing how different things were in African and that they have iPads for every student.” Eleni </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Asking and answering questions.” Yennhi </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Asking if I can join their school!” Kailer </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It was funny when they said we have an accent.” Samantha </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It was really interesting when I heard they all had iPads.” Gabe </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“…just seeing them!” Madelyn </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“What I liked about Skyping was when they talked in a different language.” Kasia </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“My favorite part about Skyping with the class was hearing them speak their language and finding out 600 students get their own iPads!” Grace </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Listening to their accents.” Bella </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I like the sports you do.” Cooper </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“My favorite part was getting to know how their school works.” Lauren </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“My favorite part was listening to their accent.” Emily </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Awesome!” Jaiden </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The part I liked is when they said they had about 600 iPads.” Kaito </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“My favorite part was talking to different people.” Syon </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“My favorite part of skyping with the kids was being able to see their faces when they would laugh.” Mrs. Yates </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I loved seeing the look on the African boys’ faces when they saw girls at our school!” Mrs. Hynden</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This video call was a fabulous experience. I hope we can continue the questions and learning on this blog. It’s amazing how technology can build a bridge between our schools!"</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********<strong>***********</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong> </span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is a comment from Des Dunston’s at Highbury Prep</span></strong> <br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SchoolNet wrote to Des Dunstone to tell her how excited we were to see what happened about the books and how thrilled we were to see how Skype connected the classes, and Des commented “<i>Our Skype pizza party last night was a great success.  We had some parents join us and I think they are all so blown away by what we can do with technology these days</i>.” </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hooray for Skype. Try it! Your class will love it. Thank you to Julie and Des.</span><br /><br /></div>

Microsoft Skype The wonders of Skype in connecting classes in Seattle in the USA and Hillcrest in South Africa

Submitted by Fiona BealIn July 2011 I was very privileged to attend the inaugural Microsoft Partner’s in Learning Institute in Seattle. Whilst there I connected with a virtual blogging friend, Julie Hembree, who visited me at my hotel. It is really e…

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Why not consider a ‘Mystery Skype’ session with your class this year?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Submitted by Fiona Beal with permission from Brenda Hallowes...</i><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a guest post from a Schoolnetter</i><i>, </i><i>B</i><i>renda Hallowes, who teaches ICT at Cotswold Preparatory School in Port Eizabeth. Brenda has a blog ‘<a href="http://cotslabnotes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cotswold Lab Notes</a>’ and when I read this <a href="http://cotslabnotes.blogspot.com/2012/11/global-connections.html" target="_blank">post </a>in November I asked her if I could use it as a guest post since it highlights the practice of ‘Mystery Skype’ in action. Mystery Skype can also be conducted using a Google hangout! </i></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIoMXZxQxClrvtfZz3Jee4MaMI6Y-Pq__fM93YvWcCvEpv2eRpGZFtwfwAxf4_qdsjY71-O3ZzVDHQ5egzFYYiexo8vbwFx34X69aisAQzr-XYXZYAv-FyYNDP8pqtBXaEZt3ZmywluE/s1600-h/image%25255B11%25255D.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCuG7zl8z7K1bzJu5gtCf0xmJTjuN6rGQG1IIqG-2xYPbHygDhDuqtfNiLvHNaSrDGTaG8hfBKKXSIoEzS7_ZtGz6r-bmTiTs3Ktxq62AzfyEnrhnS7EDGxloNik6i2xtm9Ef8Eq30fE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brenda's blog 'Cotswold Lab Notes' </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Brenda relates:</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We live in a global village. Technology has opened up so many opportunities for connection and collaboration. In the computer lab we have been taking advantage of the opportunity for global connections via the </span><a href="http://theglobalclassroomproject.wordpress.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Global Classroom Project</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I joined the Skype chat group for GCP. Due to time differences the group is active twenty-four hours a day.  The chat is lively and informative. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the fun activities of the group is a "Mystery Skype".  Two teachers connect their classes in Google Hangout without telling their students where the other class is in the world. The children have to ask questions that elicit a yes or no answer in order to work out the location.  </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0c1ry7JjAkzPNLmATsmw_wCOCuWHarcrMrsQp_YVhQlzJJtUSWJLZYl4-077PprxskRaNj6kwx2Yh5xUCoL91Q7IMS7mjVgVmadtQmdsnXdrt_BBWsDsSJZtaYrYVh_hWMyCJvaF-Lg/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_W0buMCImJ22bxbY30dPzMZ15ZXu49yseBVuM273T4hxyGTfZqcFIFu5g5aC-VeUwH4u1QY1256yi094bPx_kCEbj8ANuPFR_4TVsS0ObzsmDtGkPSWnJtLS6wXDaFOLcBKDB2cF7LM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brenda's Grade 2 class during the session</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-QEDi6lEP3K8XydNluIEFxz7qbB1hovwnVyhzMiqPD2SzWtocUFwF8Vio-YMNCoT2T1IIRAzncMpmteuRs6CkMUKDlOcEx5djOgnBEjDJVtRRVUI8H36l1Wx7M_SXbM0weIZwWYMEBk/s1600-h/image%25255B7%25255D.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHuuL53iVVKT6VlArocJc26wQqxBNBHa4qZtYByM9DGRhtuT5WmU_VCRwe_GR6YcxdJIR5IvLDj1NIjwHvOylC6gTFq8NmIynr0EVWtUkRIXDFa06BoxupbDAgGu_KbcuFtqmDUevUXY/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grade 2 class in Indonesia during the session</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the first things the students have to understand is the concept of a continent. Once we have established which continent the other class is on they then have to pinpoint the country. If they do get really stuck they are allowed to get clues such as the capital city or the hemisphere. I was surprised and delighted when one of my Grade 2 classes guessed Indonesia after they had established that it was in Asia. After trying the larger countries like China and India they began to study the map more carefully. They could barely pronounce the word Indonesia but  they learned that it's a country in Asia and they met a class of real live students from there.  Some of our students demonstrated good thinking when trying to find the answer and then I had one little girl who kept coming up and saying, "Johannesburg! or East London". It's a whole new world out there. Our students are young and many of them are lacking exposure to the world beyond our school and homes but I believe that we can offer them opportunities for enrichment <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_of_proximal_development">beyond their present development </a>through technology and good scaffolding. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are coming to the end of the academic year. This has been the first year at Cotswold that I haven't worked through a set curriculum purchased by the school. It's been an adventurous year and I have learned so much. I'm looking forward to what the new year brings. Technology is changing so rapidly and the trend is towards the "Read Write" web where we discover how to construct our own new knowledge using online tools. It certainly is a great time to be involved in education.”</span></div>

news Skype Why not consider a ‘Mystery Skype’ session with your class this year?

Submitted by Fiona Beal with permission from Brenda Hallowes...This is a guest post from a Schoolnetter, Brenda Hallowes, who teaches ICT at Cotswold Preparatory School in Port Eizabeth. Brenda has a blog ‘Cotswold Lab Notes’ and when I read this pos…

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When did you last use Skype in your classroom?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_psidq7="127"></div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="131">Skype is a programme that can connect teachers and pupils all over the globe FOR FREE – yet many schools are unaware of its amazing potential. All you need is a computer connected to the internet in the classroom! Want to know more?</div><div closure_uid_psidq7="131"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="132"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="106"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>How do you get started?</strong></span></div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="132"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="190">If you haven’t tried Skype before it is really worth giving it a try. Skype has recently started to make it a lot easier for teachers to find each other by creating a Skype in the classroom website. Now there is no excuse to start using Skype! Why don’t you take a look? <a href="http://education.skype.com/">http://education.skype.com/</a> Click on the picture below! It shows the latest educators to join the site. </div><div closure_uid_ev1l8u="116" closure_uid_psidq7="133"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="133"><br /></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_ev1l8u="153" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://education.skype.com/"><img border="0" height="155" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4l6G7PY2xRzrKp4C_r48j50iW52xZCRR2BVhFw1s-jL_RkZkPJubxrcJ2U5SOHnfGiFr4E8wdwALv_H4-jU_TZQ-kTv9xG57Mp2iQ5AU7MY2pkVWdoFoS2s6OBCdAzhmAxgBXMQ2bpA/s400/newest+skype.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="133"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="134"><strong><span closure_uid_2zi1i7="111" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 way chat is a great new feature</span></strong></div><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="110" closure_uid_psidq7="134"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="135">Version 5 which came out last year brought out some fantastic new features the best of which has to be the 10 way video chat which is brilliant! I am not sure if this facility is free. </div><div closure_uid_psidq7="135"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="174"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="109"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong closure_uid_2zi1i7="108">How can Skype for Educators help you?</strong></span></div><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="109"><br /></div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="178">The <a href="http://education.skype.com/">http://education.skype.com/</a>website has a whole list of projects to get involved in:</div><div closure_uid_psidq7="178"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="294"><iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21655503?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400"></iframe></div><a href="http://vimeo.com/21655503">How to find a project on Skype in the classroom</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6382390">Skype in the classroom</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="136">There is step by step instruction on how to get started and find like-minded teachers:</div><br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="137"><iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21665486?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400"></iframe></div><a href="http://vimeo.com/21665486">How to create a profile and find a teacher</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6382390">Skype in the classroom</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="138"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="139">There are many resources to explore:</div><div closure_uid_psidq7="139"><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21662447?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400"></iframe><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/21662447">How to find a resource on Skype in the classroom</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6382390">Skype in the classroom</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="140"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong closure_uid_psidq7="295">Where else can you find classrooms to Skype with? </strong></span></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="296">1. Edublogs gives a whole directory of teachers looking for Skype partners. They have even added the time zone of the teachers which is something that is important to note. </div><div closure_uid_psidq7="297"><a href="http://theedublogger.com/want-to-connect-with-other-classrooms/">http://theedublogger.com/want-to-connect-with-other-classrooms/</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="297"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="354">2. The Skype in schools wiki: </div><div closure_uid_psidq7="354"><a closure_uid_psidq7="358" href="http://skypeinschools.pbworks.com/">http://skypeinschools.pbworks.com/</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="362"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="362">3. Around the world in 80 days Skype project: </div><div closure_uid_psidq7="362"><a href="http://aroundtheworldwith80schools.wikispaces.com/">http://aroundtheworldwith80schools.wikispaces.com/</a></div><br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="372"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="112">4. Want-ads - looking for educators to skype with:</div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="373"><a href="http://skypeinschools.pbworks.com/w/page/11008389/Want-Ads">http://skypeinschools.pbworks.com/w/page/11008389/Want-Ads</a></div><br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="141"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="113"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>What sort of things can you do with Skype in the classroom?</strong></span></div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="141"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="377">1. You can debate!</div><div closure_uid_psidq7="378"><a href="http://loisath.edublogs.org/2009/08/29/student-inter-school-debating-with-skype/">Student Inter-school Debating with Skype</a> by Lois Smethurst</div><div closure_uid_psidq7="617"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="616"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="114">2. Here are 10 great ideas: </div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="650"><a href="http://blog.learningtoday.com/blog/bid/41726/10-Ways-to-Use-Skype-in-the-Classroom?source=Blog_Email_%5b10+Ways+to+Use+Skype%5d">10 Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom</a></div><br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="379"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="115">3. You can even give students skype jobs in the classroom! <a href="http://langwitches.org/blog/2010/04/11/skype-jobs-for-students/">http://langwitches.org/blog/2010/04/11/skype-jobs-for-students/</a></div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="379"><br /></div><div closure_uid_5jssid="117">4. What about inviting an author? Here is a post about the author and illustrator Mike Artell</div><div closure_uid_psidq7="383"><a href="http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/02/12/skyping-in-mike-artell-illustrator-author/">http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/02/12/skyping-in-mike-artell-illustrator-author/</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="383"><br /></div>5. This is another post about author and illustrator Jan and Phil Huling-<br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="387"><a href="http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/24/skyping-in-author-and-illustrator-jan-phil-huling/">http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/24/skyping-in-author-and-illustrator-jan-phil-huling/</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="387"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="391">6. A post by Jack Kenny lists some of the ideas she has noticed: <br /><a href="http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6090279">http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6090279</a> </div><div closure_uid_psidq7="391"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="391">7. This is a popular post showing 50 things you can do with Skype:</div><div closure_uid_psidq7="392"><a href="http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/">http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="396"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="396"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="116">8. More ideas from Shelley Terrell: </div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="397"><a href="http://oupeltglobalblog.com/2010/05/28/motivating-adult-learners-skype-an-expert/">http://oupeltglobalblog.com/2010/05/28/motivating-adult-learners-skype-an-expert/</a></div><br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="142"><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you know that experts are willing to come into your classroom?</span></strong></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="142"><br /></div><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="117">1. A list of experts willing to skype into your classroom:</div><div closure_uid_psidq7="401"><a href="http://www.skypeforeducators.com/educators.htm">http://www.skypeforeducators.com/educators.htm</a></div><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="118" closure_uid_psidq7="401"><br /></div><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="119">2. Skype an author network:</div><div closure_uid_psidq7="405"><a href="http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/">http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="181"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="143"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="120"><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Want a few tips before you start?</span></strong></div><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="120"><br /></div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="144"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="121">1. Watch a great video by Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano’s Presentation ‘<a href="http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/12/16/k12online09/">Around the World with Skype</a>” to get you started</div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="144"><br /></div><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" src="http://blip.tv/play/hOsmgbH1PQI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" wmode="transparent"></embed><br /><br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="145">2. Skype tips: </div><div closure_uid_psidq7="409"><a href="http://room202.edublogs.org/skype-tips/">http://room202.edublogs.org/skype-tips/</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="409"><br /></div><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="129"><div closure_uid_5jssid="119">3. How I taught skype to my class by Coolcat Teacher. Vicki has also added a detailed step-by-step video in her post. </div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="413"><a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2006/10/using-skype-in-classroom-or-just.html">http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2006/10/using-skype-in-classroom-or-just.html</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="413"><br /></div><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="130">4. Dummies guide to Skype:</div><div closure_uid_psidq7="417"><a href="http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/using-skype-at-school.html">http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/using-skype-at-school.html</a></div><br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="422"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="131"><strong><span closure_uid_psidq7="421" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Livebinders with Skype resources</span></strong></div><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="131"><br /></div></div><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="132">A Livebinder is a great way to share a variety of resources on a topic. There are several good Skype livebinders to explore.</div><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="133"><br /></div>1. Making connections with Skype<br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="423"><a href="http://livebinders.com/play/present?id=25372">http://livebinders.com/play/present?id=25372</a></div><br />2. Skype in the classroom<br /><div closure_uid_psidq7="482"><a href="http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=8641">http://livebinders.com/play/play?id=8641</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="482"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="147"><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recording your Skype sessions</span></strong></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="147"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="516">1. <a href="http://www.online-tech-tips.com/free-software-downloads/automatically-record-skype-calls/">Automatically Recording Skype Calls with MP3 Skype</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="516"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="531">2. <a href="http://www.voip-sol.com/15-apps-for-recording-skype-conversations/">15 Apps for Recording Skype</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="531"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="148">3. <a href="http://videoconferencing.wikispaces.com/Recording+Skype">Using PowerGramo</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="148"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="149"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Wikis with Skype resources</strong></span></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="149"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="517">1. <a href="http://technology4kids.pbworks.com/w/page/25344912/Skype">Technology 4 Kids Wiki:</a> Skype Resources</div><div closure_uid_psidq7="518"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="518"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="134">2. Skype in School Wiki:</div></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="519"><a href="http://pdsblogs.org/mattscully/2009/05/06/skype-and-tell/">http://pdsblogs.org/mattscully/2009/05/06/skype-and-tell/</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="523"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="523">3. <a href="http://wsfcs.pbworks.com/Skype-in-Schools">http://wsfcs.pbworks.com/Skype-in-Schools</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="523"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="524">4. <a href="http://videoconferencing.wikispaces.com/Home">http://videoconferencing.wikispaces.com/Home</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="150"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="151"><strong closure_uid_psidq7="185"><span closure_uid_psidq7="187" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So then, why should you Skype?</span></strong></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="151"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="186"><a href="http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/01/02/reasons-for-skyping-in-the-classroom/">http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/01/02/reasons-for-skyping-in-the-classroom/</a></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="186"><br /></div><div closure_uid_psidq7="186"><div closure_uid_2zi1i7="135">Why not give it a go? Please comment and tell us of your Skype experiences. We would really love to know about them!</div></div></div>

Skype When did you last use Skype in your classroom?

Skype is a programme that can connect teachers and pupils all over the globe FOR FREE – yet many schools are unaware of its amazing potential. All you need is a computer connected to the internet in the classroom! Want to know more?How do you get sta…

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