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- Organize video conferencing with another school or guest speaker (i.e. arrange a time, date, and discussion topic)
- Discuss the discussion topic with the students prior to the video conferencing
- Explain to the students how video conferencing works as a collaborative learning tool
- Provide the students with sample questions to ask the guest speaker
- Encourage the students to create their own questions related to the topic
- Review the students' questions before the video conferencing
- Set up the equipment for the video conferencing
- Double check to make sure everything is working properly!

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- The student will create their own questions related to the topic individually
- The students will work in pairs to edit their peer's questions. This will help to initiate critical thinking and discussion
- The students will record the speaker's responses to their questions
- After the video conferencing the students will participate in a sharing circle and respectfully reflect on their experience

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Detailed Example of Skype Activity - Discussion with students or guest speaker

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Detailed Example of Skype Activity - Discussion with students or guest speaker

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Students will practice articulating their thoughts and communicating clearly and effectively.

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1.     Q&A session with the author of a book studied in class

2.     Collaborating on a project with a class in another province

3.     Taking a virtual field trip

4.     Interviewing a scientist

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- High School Students (level 4-5)
- Topic: Video Conferencing
- Tech Tool: Skype

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Using Technology to Create a Global Classroom: Video Conferencing Workshop for Educators

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Using Technology to Create a Global Classroom: Video Conferencing Workshop for Educators

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Technology in the classroom can enhance learning for all students and can be particularly effective for English Language Learners (ELLs).  Technology can be used to support socially-active learning which can help students develop critical-thinking, problem-solving, communication and collaboration skills.

Through my classroom experience I have seen how technology can inspire students to learn because technologies can add fun, excitement and interest to the learning experience.  They generally are interactive and provide instant feedback.  They allow for practice in interesting and challenging ways.  They are flexible and can be adapted to different learning styles and interests.  They also provide a certain independence to students for their learning.  All of these attributes mean that technology can improve students’ motivation and confidence, which often need attention in the case of ELLs.

Technology can help to ease the transition to a new language and environment. In my experience, I have found that ELLs benefit from the reinforcement of concepts and vocabulary through images and videos. They also benefit from using technology to express themselves and discover their own voice.

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This workshop will cover the process for effectively using Skype in a classroom setting and will provide detailed examples of several Skype activities.  In addition, there will be a working session where groups will brainstorm to identify additional activities and share lessons learned from their experiences using video-conferencing or related communications technologies.

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Technology can be used to open up a classroom so that students can learn more about things they are interested in, learn directly from people from around the world, and share their knowledge with others. Video-conferencing (e.g. Skype) is a technology that is usually accessible to teachers and students, is easy to use and can open the classroom to many new experiences. For example, students can learn from other students or from experts, or can connect with people from other cultures.

I have observed the use of videoconferencing in the classroom and seen firsthand how it created a fun, interactive, and positive learning experience for the students. Monthly, the teacher arranged for the class to Skype with a class from an English-speaking country. The students were encouraged to create questions prior to the video conference and ask their questions to the other school. This activity was especially helpful for ELLs to improve their listening and speaking skills.