Description of Use Rationale

Transcription

1 Skype Skype: A video conference call program that enables classrooms to connect with each other across the street, city and globe. Allows students to interact with new cultures, languages and experts from across the globe without leaving the classroom, creating a virtual fieldtrip any day of the week! Description of Use 21 st century pen pal Students are able to communicate with students in other classrooms, schools and cities by the use of Skype. This can help assist in second language development; by connecting an English language school with a French (or insert language here) school. Students are exposed to native speakers and can use their developing language skills to have conversations. Offers visual exposure to new cultures that traditional pen and paper is not capable of The texting portion of Skype can allow students to learn new vocabulary or elaborate on their conversation with words they are uncertain of how to pronounce Rationale According to our class list of meaningful use of technology: It is meaningful when students' learning goes deeper, is more relevant, they are more engaged and challenged, collaborative and reflective Using Skype as a pen pal program engages students learning as it becomes relevant to them. They are in charge of their learning by using and incorporating new vocabulary and sentence structure in their oral language communication. Students are also exposed to different accents and phrases from global communities. Together this will help them establish a new appreciation for language and culture. A true global student for an ever changing world. According to the Bransford et. al article: A metacognitive approach to instruction can help students learn to take control of their own learning by defining learning goals Skype allows students to work on the aspect of oral or written language that they find most challenging. They are able to practice skills in real life situations and assess their understanding of the language with the assistance of peers in lieu of formal evaluation by the teacher. According to the Tapscott article: entertainment Students are actively entertaining themselves with their peers, chatting about movies, music, art, sports, etc while using material learned in class. They can be completely engaged in projects that are social in nature. As Charles Grantham states, we should be allowing our students to move in between work and play, Skype provides such an opportunity.

2 In terms of learning theories: Discovery (Bruner), Social Development (Vygotsky) and Communities of Practice (Lave and Wenger) Students are given the chance to discover facts for themselves. They can ask questions and discuss with their peers. Pen pals requires students to draw on past experiences and their existing knowledge to communicate with their partner. Discovery learning is simulation-based, Skype offers them real life situations in which they use the language. Vygotsky believed that social interaction precedes development; by communicating with peers students have the ability to be social and assist each other with their zone of proximal development. One of the best things about having a pen pal is that we are sharing our commonalities with peers from all over the world. Learning is not the primal intention of Skype, it is a pleasant consequence. Home school/ Instruction assistance One-on-one tutoring from subject specific teachers Enables students to be part of the traditional classroom while at home, hospital, or other location Virtual fieldtrips According to Kay: Learning and Innovation Skills, in particular communication and collaboration Skype allows students the opportunity to work with students around the globe from the comfort of their classroom or home. Kay believes that social skills and communication are hand in hand, the foundation of Skype. One of the most important skills of the 21 st century is the power of speech, to be at ease when speaking. Skype encourages students to be confident in their language skills, practicing with peers who themselves are learning new languages. According to our class list of meaningful use of technology: Meaningful use of technology occurs when it supports student success All students, regardless of ability, are entitled to be successful with the school curriculum. Skype offers students unable to attend a traditional classroom the opportunity to be part of the school community by streaming the lesson directly to their computer. They are able to see and be a virtual part of the classroom, while receiving specific assistance from teachers oneon-one when further explanation is required.

3 According to the Bransford et. al article: Establish a sense of community with students. Students spend 14% of their time in the classroom and the rest is divided between home and community locations. If we are able to bring students into the wider community at the click of a button we are allowing school to permeate the walls of the classroom. Students who would otherwise be isolated at home have the chance to belong to a classroom and learn alongside their peers. According to the Tapscott article: customization Students are able to change the scenery of the classroom by taking virtual fieldtrips, speaking to students from around the world and inviting experts from around the world to speak in their classrooms. In terms of learning theories: Activity theory (Vygotsky, Leont ev, Luria) This theory enables us to account for the entire student and the environment in which learning is taking place. This is especially important when we are teaching students who are in locations other than our classroom. All students are actors engaged in activities in a social context. Tele-conferencing Allows students the opportunity to collaborate in group projects from the safety of their home Enables teachers to share resources with teachers from other classroom, schools and cities According to Kay: Core Subjects Skype allows student s access to subject specific teachers to assist them with general understanding, projects and exam preparation. Also in the article Kay states that English and foreign languages are two of the most important skills required for 21 st century students and access to video calls can help improve communication without the formal evaluation of teachers. According to our class list of meaningful use of technology: Meaningful use of technology occurs when both teachers and students are continuously building a foundation that uses and implements various tools that enhance the evolving learning environment Internet conferencing is a relatively new tool that we can incorporate into the classroom. By inviting experts to speak to the class much of the curriculum becomes more relevant and therefore meaningful to the student. The learning

4 Expose students to experts worldwide, breaks down the four walls of the classroom environment is leaving the traditional classroom and expanding to all the corners of the globe. According to the Bransford et. al article: Students come to the classroom with preconceived notions about how the world works Tele conferencing allows students a chance to see how the world works in its natural element. We are able to take their existing knowledge and build upon its contents to improve general understanding. Or if the prior knowledge is incorrect we have the ability to demonstrate the correct concept and allow the student to come to the conclusion that it is accurate. According to the Tapscott article: collaboration Skype allows individuals and classrooms to connect with each other to discuss best practice, share lesson plans and conduct meetings. In lieu of sharing information with small groups of people, a large community base can be created with thousands of members with diverse knowledge. No longer do we have to know an astronaut or lawyer in person, we can contact them through Skype in the classroom and virtually invite them to speak with our students. In terms of learning theories: Experiential learning (Kolb) The four stages of learning that comprises Kolb s theory is very prevalent with the use of Skype. Participating in a teleconference offers individuals the chance for a concrete experience, which they can then reflect upon after the call has ended. How was this an effective meeting? Was the expert knowledgeable about (insert curriculum here)? Once reflection is complete they can begin form an understanding based on the experience, abstract conceptualization. The final stage is active experimentation, being able to apply the learnt material into real life situations. According to Kay: Information, media and technology skills Teleconferencing is one way in which we can learn how to use technology while actively using a relatively easy tool. Skype allows us to share

5 information immediately with individuals from around the world. This program also offers us the chance to teach students about media literacy and effectively use of internet research.