EXPLORING AN EMERGING

TECHNOLOGY - SKYPE

Making Social Media Come Alive in the Classroom

byJessika TimmonsSheldon JordanHerma MeadeEDD 7914

EXPLORING AN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY - SKYPE

Order of Presentation Skype The ASSURE Model The Project

Analysis Standards Strategy, Technology, Media, Materials Utilizing Technology, Media, Materials Requiring Learner Participation Evaluating and Revising

Enhancement Activities Conclusion

SKYPE

A voiceover service and software application

Initially released to the public in August 2003

Allows communication by voice, video, and instant messaging

Well known for its videoconferencing feature

Now owned by Microsoft Used in educational settings to share

information between separated parties

THE ASSURE MODEL Presented by Smaldino, Lowther, &

Russell Provides framework for effective use of

technology and media in the classroom Each letter indicates a step in the

processA- Analyze learnersS – State standards and objectivesS – Select strategies, technology, media and

materialsU- Utilize technology, media and

materials R- Require learner participationE- Evaluate and revise

THE PROJECT Conducted in the Kindergarten class of

Jessika Timmons in Fort Lauderdale A third-grade class was used as partners to

the kindergarten students The ASSURE Model was used in engaging

students in a science learning activity on gardening

Skype was used to encourage discussion between the two classes

The evaluation of the session highlighted some adjustments that would be made in future Skype sessions

THE PROJECT – APPLYING THE ASSURE MODEL STEP DETAILS/WHAT WAS DONE

ANALYZE LEARNERSIdentify and analyze learner characteristics shown to be associated with learning outcomes

The learners for this lesson were a group of kindergarten students who skyped with a third-grade class. This was a culminating meeting of the two classes who had a partnership/mentorship with gardening in Science over the course of the 2012-2013 school year.

This method would appeal to those students whose interests are peaked by technology. It would also appeal to the visual learners.

THE PROJECT – APPLYING THE ASSURE MODEL STEP DETAILS/WHAT WAS DONE

STATE STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVESState the standards and learning objectives as specifically as possible

K.SL.1 – Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

SC.K.L.14.3 – Observe plants and animals, describe how they are alike and how they are different in the way they look and the things they do. The students will be expected to use the knowledge they have learned about plants as well as new information to conduct an open discussion.

THE PROJECT – APPLYING THE ASSURE MODEL STEP DETAILS/WHAT WAS DONE

SELECT STRATEGIES, TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA AND MATERIALSChoose appropriate instructional strategies, technology, and media and materials to achieve the objectives.

The following materials were used:• Laptops (with built-in cameras)• Lists of questions from Kindergarten class• Garden patch prepared by the third-grade class (with plants already growing)

Skype was used to enable sharing and discussion between the two classes.

THE PROJECT – APPLYING THE ASSURE MODEL

STEP DETAILS/WHAT WAS DONEUTILIZE TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA, AND MATERIALSPlanning for utilizing the technology, media, and materials to help students achieve the learning objectives. Follow the 5 P’s: Preview the technology Prepare the technology Prepare the environment Prepare the learners Provide the learning experience

In order to prepare for the lesson, the third-grade teacher and Jessika had to test the technology. They also had to discuss how they wanted to conduct the lesson before involving the students. Both classrooms were arranged so that the students in the class could sit close together and be able to see and be seen on the cameras.

All year the third-grade students mentored the kindergarten students about how they maintained their garden and the different types of seeds they planted.

THE PROJECT – APPLYING THE ASSURE MODEL

STEP DETAILS/WHAT WAS DONEREQUIRE LEARNER PARTICIPATIONTo be effective, instruction should require active mental engagement.

The third graders had to explain the plans for their garden over the summer. They took the laptop outside to allow the students to see the changes in the garden since they last saw it. They even pulled a carrot and potato out of the ground to allow students to see how roots grow.

The kindergarten students had to ask and answer questions. Afterwards, a discussion took place about the new information that was learned and the students in both classes were expected to write a reflection response in their journals.

THE PROJECT – APPLYING THE ASSURE MODEL

STEP DETAILS/WHAT WAS DONEEVALUATE AND REVISEAfter implementing, evaluate the lesson’s impact on student learning.

The students enjoyed and obtained new information in the lesson, however, the impact would have been greater if the Skype lesson was not conducted using a small laptop. The use of a portable, rather than built-in camera with the laptop hooked to a large television would have been more effective. That way, the students would not have had to struggle to see one another on the screen.

This lesson was done as a whole group, rather than a small group so this is why having a larger screen was important.

ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES

Herma Meade used Skype to share the conduct and results of the project with two superintendents

The activity was fully endorsed, taking into account the adjustments proposed in the evaluation.

Sheldon Jordan used Skype to collaborate with another class in the Broward County School District to discuss citizen responsibility

The activity was well received by his students. It was very engaging, and he plans to use Skype for future lessons in his classroom.

SUGGESTED WEBSITESKYPE in the Classroom – FREE!!!!https://education.skype.com/

Search scheduled Skype lessons on various subjects

Teachers can create classes to teach

Learn from experts around the world and create new learning experiences

CONCLUSION

Skype has been confirmed in this activity to be of great potential in enhancing instruction at the kindergarten and elementary levels.

The stage has been set for exploring further possibilities for using the application, engaging personnel at other levels of the education system.

REFERENCESSmaldino, S. E., Lowther, D. L. & Russell, J.

D. (2012). Instructional technology and media for learning. Boston MA: Pearson.