Carmen Richardson, a third grade teacher in Hawaii, uses Skype to connect to elementary students within the States and around the world. Her first class connected with a school in Maine. After that she opened her class communications with students in Vermont, New Jersey, and Australia. Students learn about climate, culture, seasons, native animals, and current events, which begins many lessons and projects in both classrooms. Children discover friendships with students all over the world. They get excited in showing their presentations to an audience. They exchange music and poetry. Sharing their work with each other deepened the friendships that were created. Students on both sides realize that they are part of a global society of similarities and differences. Imagination and desire for their work is enhanced when the finished product is produced for a global audience.
How can Technology be used in this application?
Students can use video or PowerPoint presentations to display their biographies. Edmodo and Voice Thread assist students to communicate collaboratively over the computer for projects.
How does this develop children socially?
Students realize that they are part of a bigger picture. There are similarities and differences in all children where ever they live in the world. It gives them confidence to be social with those that they might think have nothing in common with them. Curiosity and a spark of learning is found on both sides.
How did Carmen get involved with Skype classrooms?
A specialist in the Office of Instructional Technology for Baltimore County Public Schools, located in Maryland, Michael Fort, was looking for schools to work with. He contacted her through the Skype for Educators website (education.skype.com). He set up a partnership with Carmen and Dana Novotny, a technology integration teacher at Cromwell Valley Regional Magnet School of Technology. Afterwards, they set up classes in first, second, fourth, and fifth grades to collaborate with each other, starting with a guessing game of where the students live.
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