Warren School Skypes

Classes at Warren School have found a way to instantly and authentically learn with students who are not even listed on their class roster. Skype in education has removed the walls of the classroom and replaced them with a bridge that connects our students with other classes across the country with just a click of a mouse. Mrs. Newton’s kindergarten class in Warren, CT Skyped with Mrs. Dodson’s kindergarten class located more than 500 miles away in Akron, Ohio. Both classes shared their experience with incubating eggs in the classroom. Mrs. D’s class gave us an up close and personal look at their newly hatched baby chicks. Mrs. Newton’s class is looking forward to Skyping with them again once their class chicks hatch next week.
First graders at Warren School had an amazing time connecting with Mr. F’s class which is located almost 1,000 miles away in North Liberty, Iowa. After joining Skype in the Classroom (education.skype.com), we found Mr. F’s project, Skype R US, by browsing through the projects that teachers have shared. After having the opportunity to share the prepared answers to the questionnaire that accompanies the project, the students participated in an impromptu question and answer period. It didn’t take long for the students to relax into this new mode of communication and learning. By the end of their half-hour session together, students gained a wealth of knowledge about each other’s state, community, school, and personal interests.
A Google Map has been created as a way to collaborately chronicle Warren School’s Skype experiences. Mystery Destinations, Poetry and Prezis are upcoming projects that students from Warren School will participate in through Skype in the Classroom. Be on the lookout for highlights of those experiences on our Google Map.

Skype in the Classroom makes it very easy to find teachers ready, willing and able to collaborate on projects and bring classes together from across the globe.