How to create a Skype Classroom
Skype Classroom
Here’s how to get started:
Go to:
https://education.skype.com
* How to create a profile and find a teacher
1) Create a Skype name and password
2) Create your own profile (Your screen name & description are how you will be known on Skype in the classroom.
*While your profile on Skype in the classroom is attached to your Skype account, other teachers won’t see your Skype details unless you accept their contact requests.
3) Choose an email that can link to your Skype classroom account & attach a picture of you.
4) Choose a category or as many categories as you’d like to describe yourself as a teacher. (Languages, Math, Arts, Culture, Social Studies, Physical Education, Arts, Reading & Writing, Guest Speaker and technology.)
5) Description gives other teachers information about yourself and what you are looking for on Skype classroom.
6) Location country and city of where you are located on map.
7) Languages you speak.
8) Add your own website, school website or your own blog.
9) Students age ranges of classes you would like to connect with. (12-15) (16-18)
Congrats! Your profile is now created!
How to connect with other teachers:
Go to the top (Directory) to locate other teachers.
-You can search other teachers by key words, subject areas and where they are located in the world. You can check out their interests and what they would like to accomplish via Skype classroom.
If interested to connect, add them as a contact and send message.
How to create a project on Skype in the classroom
If you are looking to collaborate or want to create a teaching project:
-sign in to Skype Classroom
-click on create a project
-Provide detailed information of what you are looking for
-Projects are a way for teachers to collaborate around a specific goal. You can create a project to find partner classes, partner teachers or guest speakers. It’s super important that your project description clearly and thoroughly describes what you are looking for as this description is how other teachers will find you.
-Give your projects a title (keep it easy and short)
-Describe what your project is about and why it may be interesting for other teachers.
-Add videos or pictures to bring your project to life.
-Select the subject that best describes your project and the age group.
-Create project
-Relax… you can edit your project anytime.
-You can access your projects on your profile.
The following information has been adapted from www.skypeclassroom.com
Example of a Skype Classroom Language exchange in the classroom:
Skype Classroom call (A learning call)
A Mystery call:
-A mystery Skype call is when; classrooms call each other & try to guess where the other classroom is located in the world. Connect with other classrooms around the world, country and city. Have the students share hints of their true location, challenging the other students to guess where in the world their new friends live.
When doing a Skype call, each student works at a specific job during the calls.
Hand out responsibilities before the Skype calls so every student feels engaged with the conversation, not just passive participants watching the interaction. Assign each student a task that is relevant to the Skype Classroom call.
Pre-activities:
*Familiarize your students with different geographical locations, cultures and languages etc.
*Maps, Google earth & Atlas
*Formulate questions with your students for Mystery Skype and Classroom Skype.
*Distribute job responsibilities (Skype Teacher, Skype mappers/ Atlas, Skype Greeters, Skype Inquirers, Skype Photographers, Skype Runners, Skype Note takers, Skype Clue Markers and Skype Problem Solvers.
During Skype call:
*Interview & mapping
*Questions and answers
*Taking pictures and video of the Skype call
*Data collection and notes in regards to the call
Post Activities:
*Debrief as a group about Skype call.
*Information Literacy (evaluates, analyze and categorize)
*Create video diary (Animoto)
*Blog Post (reflection)
*Share with students, other classrooms
Job responsibilities definitions:
Skype Teacher: The Teacher in charge of the classroom and set up of call.
Skype Mappers/ Atlas / Clue Markers: Students who use the maps to piece together the clues & location of the connected classroom.
Skype Greeters: Greet the connected classroom. They share an interesting fact about their own class, without giving away their location. They are also in charge of ending the call.
Skype Inquirers: These students will ask and answer the questions.
Skype Note takers: These students will write down notes and answers from the call.
Skype Photographers: using their device and or camera take photographs during the call.
Skype Runners: Students double checking and relaying out information from group to group.
Skype Problem Solvers: Helps students with any problems during call, vision, sound, technology issues.
