EX

TE

ND

I NG

TH

E W

AL L S

OF T

HE

CL A

SS

RO

OM

Rachel Roberts – VLN Primaryrachel@matapu.schoolzone.net.nz

WHY SKYPE?

• Communicate• Connected• Collaborate• Co-construct• Contactable• Compete

CONTEXTS

• Wider audience• Authentic relevant situations• Invited guests, experts• Special interest groups• Shared teaching – sharing strengths• Explanation, retells• Data gathering & comparison• Buddy classes

• http://www.delicious.com/rachelj/skype

USING SKYPE – THE BASICS

1. Download & install skype2. Add a contact3. Text chat 4. Call the contact5. Start a conference call

EXTRAS!

• Video• File sharing• Screen recording• Desktop sharing

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Quality sound & webcam – integrated with laptop or external?

• Proxy settings – remember to adjust these for school

• Check your Privacy settings• Always make a test call before the

‘real’ skype call.

PREPARATION

• Start with small projects (become more familiar with skype)

• Have a clear purpose in mind (learning objectives)

• Will it be one-to-one students, small group, whole class?

• Look to local connections also (cluster, VLN)

• Students should practise asking ‘good questions’, having conversations

• Have a plan for the conversation, key questions, information exchanges

• Assign roles to students (next slide for egs)

• Follow up important too:• Debrief• Emails• Online resources, sharing eg wikispace

Image Langwitches

ONLINE ETIQUETTE

• Always send a chat first before dialing in.

• Take turns talking – will need active facilitation to do this (if more than 2 schools)

• Watch ‘off camera ‘ behaviour - calling out, signing in the background, inattention etc

• The people at the other end can see/hear you

• Use mute when it’s not your turn to talk.

• Good preparation is vital to smooth running of skype conversations

VLN PRIMARY

http://tiny.cc/vlnprimary 

• http://www.booktalks.org.nz/

• Register with the site• Book an author• Starts $65

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

http://education.skype.com/

ADD ME TO YOUR CONTACTS!

rache65rache65@gmail.com