1. Digital Communication in the Classroom
Blogs, FaceTime and Skype….O, My!
A. Danner

2. Blogs
Allows students the opportunity to curate news, links and materials of interest to them
They create a space that reflects their interest
Student driven content
Allows for online collaboration
Personal reflections
Potential for peer feedback
They publish and create to either the entire web or a certain group of people
Allows for increase safety
Ex. Google Blogger allows for publication under a pseudonym

3. Google Blogger You and the students have access already FOR FREE!
Here’s your blog!

4. Facetime Built directly into the iPad
Utilizes the iPad’s camera and contact list
Just select a contact from your list
Select FaceTime

5. Skype Video about using Skype in the classroom
Video about using Skype in the classroom

6. Skype Allows for free Skype-Skype video and audio calls
Group conference calls of up to 25 people
Allows for video recording
Student accountability
File sharing
Share files, videos and photos
Screen sharing (show the person you’re talking to your computer screen)

7. Skype Skype can be utilized in all content areas Foreign Language Art
Students could speak to native speakers, visit different countries and experience the culture (cooking, buildings and scenery)
Art
Visit a gallery virtually, exhibit their own art work virtually or even talk about a piece of art with another person

8. Skype
Science
Explore and present the ecosystem of another area, even within the U.S., and present their findings to an actual student living in that area; watch a scientist perform an actual experiment or interview one
Math
Speak to a local engineer about angles, ask a police officer how their radar guns work for calculating speed and acceleration

9. Skype Social Studies Gym
Visit the Alamo! (or another historic landmark)
Watch a re-enactment of Gettysburg, the signing of the Declaration or even the start of Louis and Clark’s Expedition
Have a war veteran visit your classroom
Gym
Have an athletic trainer, a professional athlete or even a coach visit your classroom
Students teaching others how to play a sport or use proper stance in a baseball swing

10. Skype Language Arts Business
Have the author of the book you just read come and speak to your class, class book read alouds
Business
Talk to a local businessman or woman
Imagine how awesome it would be to have Jim Irsay (who has a strong passion for education) visit your class and answer business questions

11. Skype Conference Calls Student Participation Extra student time
Students can conference with the teacher in groups or just with each other
Student Participation
Allows chronically ill students to still be in class for the day and get important content
Extra student time
Test review, homework help

12. Skype
Already have an account?
If not, let’s
sign up!

13. Skype
Already have an account?
Create a new account

14. Use the camera on your iPad to take a quick photo!
Remember you might have to talk to students so watch out for stuff like “freak of nature”

15. Skype
Add a contact by either searching for them by name or address

16. Skype Practice Find a partner in the room Give them a call!
Add them to your contact list
Leave the room
Give them a call!
Discuss any additional ideas you have about how you could use Skype in the classroom
Be sure to add other teachers in the room as well!
Feel free to put any ideas or thoughts on Today’s Meet

17. Extra Resources Skype in the Classroom*** Uses of Skype in the Class
Register here to participate and connect with other teachers around the world!!!
Uses of Skype in the Class
Complete Guide to Skype
50 Awesome Uses for Skype in the classroom
Creative and Varied Activities
AWESOME blog entry with help on how to connect with other teachers and classrooms online
Skype online help