Connect Your Students Globally Via Skype Connection Partners There is an infinite amount of possibilities and opportunities to find a connection partner. From your students’ own family members, local acquaintances, to educators and students from around the world, authors, scientists, business people or friends of friends. How do you connect to them though? Don’t be shy...ask! When you meet someone in person or online, think how their “expertise” could relate to skills, facts, concepts, a lesson or unit you are teaching in class. Be on the lookout for already established collaboration projects. Take advantage of an already established network of interested contacts and the projects’ established procedures and process. Start building your own PLN (Personal Learning Network). Cultivate your PLN through blogging, tweeting or becoming a member on selective Nings. Surrounding yourself virtually by selectively choosing users who will become your potential pool of connection partners increases you chances of finding a planned collaboration or a just-in-time connection when needed. Depending on your learning goals, choose people from different subject areas, geographic locations, language speakers, grade levels, etc. Once you have grown your PLN, it is easy to give them a “shout-out” call for a participation in a project, connecting for a collaborative task or to gather specific information.
Skyping for the first time? I would suggest to set up a test skype with your connection partner WITHOUT students present before you skype WITH your students the first time. Nothing is more nerve wrecking than to have a classroom full of students and NOTHING is happening on the screen. Do a quick test skype to check that both partners’ computers are configured correctly and audio/video is working. Also let your students know that technology is not fail proof. Have a backup plan, in case your call does not go through or your Internet connection is down. I also would recommend splitting your class into two groups a few days before the actual planned Skype call and sending one of the groups to another room in your school with an assistant or other teacher in order to practice skyping with each other.
52