Journal Five: Global Collaboration...

Rihardson, C. (2012). Global collaboration for elementary students. Learning and leading with technology, 40(1), 30-31. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/DigitalEdition/digital-edition-june-july-2012.aspx
 
This article documents what one teacher did using technology to facilitate learning and to connect with other schools/students across the United States.  Carmen Richardson, teaching in Hawaii, collaborated and shared information with students around the country.  First it was Vermont where the students shared and compared the weather in Vermont and Hawaii using time-lapsed videos.  Second, her students collaborated with Australian students on endangered animals.  She also used skype to connect and share with students from other places.

 The use of technology in this collaboration proved successful.  Skype, for example, is a free way to connect with family and friends around the globe.  To be able to use it in a classroom setting is a great idea.  Collaboration with students around the country/world is an excellent way for our students to expand their world and to really open up to the possibilities of experiences of students like them around the world.  Education should really be beyond the borders of the classroom.  Edmodo is another collaboration tool that we use that Miss Richardson utilized to communicate with students around the world.  Who know!!  The number of these web-based learning tools will continue to grow, and we should try and do our best to utilize/maximize it for student learning.

Question 1: What should the teacher do in preparing the students to be on skype?
Answer:  The teacher should set parameters of skype use to ensure that the students stay on task and not end up on other sites.  Expectations should be clear and in writing and signed both by students and parents.
Question 2:  What are the advantages of using skype for collaboration?
Answer:   The advantages are many: First, they can talk and see the students face-to-face.  Second, it is free.  Third, they can, in real time, collaborate and make friends aross the country/world.