UPDATE: During a recent SKYPE in the Classroom experience, I ran into an issue. All of the above equipment was necessary to connect the Laptop to the Smart board connection on the wall! The reason for this? The laptop is relatively new and has HDMI output; the wall connection only has VGA input. In fact, some projectors still only come with VGA input. Luckily, I was prepared with the cables and the most important part: an HDMI to VGA converter.
Apple laptops and some others (this Dell included) also have a "Mini-DisplayPort". I could have also used a simpler "Mini-DisplayPort to VGA" adapter. Newer Apple laptops have a "Thunderbolt" connection. Once you have all your connection types figured out, you can actually do the Skype call. We did a fun call with JKs and then Grade 11s!
Apple laptops and some others (this Dell included) also have a "Mini-DisplayPort". I could have also used a simpler "Mini-DisplayPort to VGA" adapter. Newer Apple laptops have a "Thunderbolt" connection. Once you have all your connection types figured out, you can actually do the Skype call. We did a fun call with JKs and then Grade 11s!
How can Skype be used in a high school classroom? One great way is for two classes to do the same lesson and share the product with each other.
Recently, I was able to participate in such a class. One math teacher Skyped another. After introductions, the students worked in each respective class on their math problem. Near the end of the class, student groups took turns presenting to the other class.
There are many other ways to use Skype in class. Mystery Skype turns a guessing game (Where are we? What number is it?) into a global class-to-class novelty. Students take turns providing hints and asking questions until they guess the answer.
Authors offer Q&A sessions. Charitable organizations showcase projects the school may be supporting. A great place to start is Skype in the Classroom. On this website, teachers can create accounts, list their ideas and preferences, and search for other like-minded teachers and individuals to connect.
A pre-class Skype call is recommended to test the connection, sort the details, and generally vet the contact.
Visit https://education.skype.com/
Easy and Effective @tech_ambassador
Recently, I was able to participate in such a class. One math teacher Skyped another. After introductions, the students worked in each respective class on their math problem. Near the end of the class, student groups took turns presenting to the other class.
There are many other ways to use Skype in class. Mystery Skype turns a guessing game (Where are we? What number is it?) into a global class-to-class novelty. Students take turns providing hints and asking questions until they guess the answer.
Authors offer Q&A sessions. Charitable organizations showcase projects the school may be supporting. A great place to start is Skype in the Classroom. On this website, teachers can create accounts, list their ideas and preferences, and search for other like-minded teachers and individuals to connect.
A pre-class Skype call is recommended to test the connection, sort the details, and generally vet the contact.
Visit https://education.skype.com/
Easy and Effective @tech_ambassador