Louise Morgan: mystery skype

Showing posts with label mystery skype. Show all posts

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Our Global Classroom Projects

Since the beginning of school, my classroom has been busy with many global projects. We started off September with International Peace Day and Dot Day. In October, Siyanda the Traveling Rhino arrived along with Charlotte, a flat friend from Australia. These projects have kept us busy, but it's a good busy. We are learning about the world around us, different cultures, and empathy.

The Traveling Rhino Project
Karen Stadler @ICT_Integrator

This Global Classroom Project was created by Karen Stadler in S. Africa after she visited Kruger National Park July 2012. Poachers are killing rhinos in large numbers for their horns and Karen wanted to bring awareness to the situation. She sent 5 Rhinos around the world and the project caught on. At this point, there is no end in sight for this project.

This map shows a different color for each rhino and where they have been so far.

Educators are keen to participate because they see the value in the project:

To educate the children of South Africa and the rest of the world about these beautiful creatures.

To raise awareness among the children of the world as to the plight of these gentle giants. To unite the voices of the children of the world in asking the powers that be i.e. governments, organisations, institutions etc. to take IMMEDIATE action.

To try to make a difference in our world and in the future existence of the rhinos, for the future of our children

To promote and nurture empathy.

Flat Friends and Mascot Exchange
Julie Simmons @BJacketsFan

I received an email from Jane Sloan at Roseville College Junior School in Australia asking if we would host a flat friend. I have never participated in this type of project so I agreed. Charlotte arrived with her friend Koala and a book all about Australia and her school. My students loved learning about Australia and comparing our two schools. Charlotte accompanied us on a field trip to a local theater and inspired us to create a book all about Texas for her class.

The value of this project includes:

To share information about one’s own community and culture with students from other cultures and communities

To learn about places around the world by monitoring the adventures of flat friends’ visits to participating classrooms.

To develop an understanding of maps and to identify other places on a map

Mystery Location / Mystery Skype
A collaborative effort by HLW Skypers

This project can be something you do weekly throughout the year. It is a great way to meet and connect with new classrooms. So far, my students have participated in 6 mystery skype sessions. It takes a while to teach them the map and communication skills needed to be successful for this activity, but it is fun and engaging. The Global Classroom Project currently has almost 200 classes on their list that you can connect with!

The value of this project includes:

Students will use map skills to find the location of the mystery classroom

Students will use communication and critical thinking skills to ask questions to help them find the mystery location.

Classes communicate with other classrooms via Skype or Google+ Hangouts.

Students will learn to respect and appreciate the cultures and customs of others.

Students will be able to see the differences and similarities between themselves and others around the world.

About the The Global Classroom Project

Currently the Global Classroom Project is hosting 17 projects. These projects were created by educators for educators who understand that 21st century learning means connecting and learning with classrooms around the world.

Please join Michael Graffin for our official launch at the Global Education Conference. During his online presentations, you will have the opportunity to meet the project creators and participants and learn about each project. He will be doing two presentations to accomodate time zones:

Global Classroom 2013-14 Stories & Project Launch:

#1 - Global Education Conference (Nov 22 at 11:00GMT - Time converter)

6AM New York, 11AM London, 7PM Shanghai)

#2 - Saturday Nov 23 (20:00GMT, 3PM New York, sunday Nov 24 - 7AM Sydney, 9AM Auckland) (Time Converter)

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Project Announcement: Mystery Skype

Mystery Skype!

Mystery Skype is becoming a popular activity now that more teachers are using Skype in the classroom. Mystery Skype is a great ice-breaker for classrooms. Students can guess each other's locations and then share about their countries, cities, schools, cultures, etc. These initial contacts can turn in to year-long classroom relationships that will promote sharing and collaboration.

Earlier this week, I was chatting with a group of educators on Skype Instant Messaging, and we came up with idea of creating a place where teachers can sign up to make connections. Teachers who are new to global collaboration and Skyping will be able to find contacts who are located world-wide. The list also includes experienced teachers who are willing to share their expertise.

This project is a collaboration between members of The Global Classroom Project, Hello Little World Skypers, and the Global Virtual Classroom. Please complete the form on any of these sites.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Good Morning Indonesia! Goodnight Texas!

I was just finishing up a session on GlobalEdCon and contemplating going to bed, when I got a message from one of my Skype contacts in Indonesia. It was morning there and her class wanted to Mystery Skype! I started out by giving them the clue that I was located in the Western Hemisphere. They quickly guessed Europe and Africa, but when I told them to go west, they guessed America! Unfortunately, they were unable to locate my state because they ran out of time. Hopefully, we will be able to finish our session later this week!

I love that no matter what time of the day, there is always conversation and collaboration happening on the Global Classroom and Hello Little World Skype Instant Message board. The contacts I have made there have truly opened the world to not only my students, but also to me. I am not a world traveler, but over the past two years I have learned so much about other cultures and have come to appreciate global education in a way that I could never have fully understood without having involved myself in this global community of educators.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Teaching Geography and Mystery Skype

In second grade, we learn about maps by using worksheets with maps of neighborhoods, states, and countries. We also learn to use a map key and compass rose. This year, I am taking this a step further by doing Mystery Skype sessions with classrooms around the world.

During a Mystery Skype, students will ask questions and try to figure out the location of the mystery skyper. Mystery Skype requires students to use their map skills to quickly locate areas on the map. We use an atlas and start on the page with whole world. Once we have pinpointed the continent, we turn to the page where that map is located. Some classrooms, who have access to iPads or laptops, can find the location using Google Maps.

After we find the mystery location, I put the school address in Google Maps and we zoom in and take a look at the street view of the location. This helps the students generate questions about the other school and extends the conversation.

To find classes to connect with, just use the #mysteryskype hashtag on Twitter and you will find many educators who are looking for classrooms to connect with. You can also join in on the Global Classroom Mystery Skype Project. Educators around the world are seeing the value of this simple but powerful learning activity!

Here is a typical Mystery Skype session:

Clue: We are north of Texas