Online colleagues from HLW Skypers group introduced me to Mystery Skype. (Thanks Steve Sherman (@coolmaths) from Sth Africa and David Karnoscak from USA. It has been used on many occasions with many classes and countries and each time it has been fun, engaging yet full of learning. A suggested learning activity is outlined below:
Video skype calls are made to a teacher/class in an unknown destination – either local, national or global! Students determine the location through questions. Ideal for introducing partner global project classes.
- Engaging one off lessons that are fun!
- As an introduction to a class or teacher involved in a collaborative global project
- “Around the world in Mystery Skype” in as many countries as possible over the school year!
- The world is your limit!
- A large screen for viewing or a white wall/board
- Laptop or desktop computer
- a data projector, speakers and microphone
- A mystery partner!
- Join skype in education, join the mystery skype group or find one through other social networks eg
- Find a partner(s) to connect with from your own country or other country
- Connect and communicate with the mystery teacher, get to know each other
- Test the skype connection prior to the linkup
- Set up a collaborative online document for students to share the questions asked, the answers given and add a heading for exit slips or reflection – eg what did they find challenging, three things they learnt, one thing they are still curious about. Add a world map to the document together with the rules.
- Ensure the country is hidden in the skype profile of the mystery teacher/class
- If this is the first skype call, allow practise time for students to use a webcamera and microphone effectively. Practise with the school librarian or other teacher
- Students are to ask questions that will only allow a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer
- They have one lesson to complete it in
- Class is to be on their best global behaviour! Discuss what this means with the class
- They document their questions and answers on the collaborative document
- Atlases or paper maps and/or access to online maps
Test and double check everything 10 mins or so before linkup. Use the chat to your connecting teacher/class before ringing to ensure they are ready. Make sure you have a camera. Ensure every student has access to an atlas or online maps. Ensure that the country is hidden or removed in the teacher profile.
Make the video call when both parties are ready. If the linkup is not strong, hang up and ring again. Students come to the web camera and ask their question that require a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Students continue on until they find the exact location of the mystery skyper. (If students are very young, it may be sufficient to determine the country.)
If time permits!
- Nominated students might take the connecting teacher or class on a virtual tour of the school.
- Small groups may wish to ask more questions
- Further research on the mystery skypers’ location – weather, time zone, culture etc
Celebrate and share
- with others in your social network. Use hashtag #mysteryskype on tweets.
- with parents and community via school website, newsletters etc
- keep a poster on the wall or digital file with pins showing the locations that have been skyped
Modifications for different age groups and abilities
- Set up a standard set of questions prior to class. Assign a student to each question
- Assign roles to students eg some ask questions, some record the questions/answers, some take photos/vidoes etc
- Connect with a class in a school that speaks the second language taught in your school as their native language Get students to ask questions in the other language.
Beyond the initial linkup/
Making the connections richer and the learning stronger try regular skype linkups and/or collaborate on a global project together. Make sure you follow @skypeclassroom and @mysteryskype to keep up with the latest on twitter!
Here is a video on Mystery Skype sharing what it looks and sounds like, together with sample student feedback. Never underestimate how easy it is for students, especially the first time(s) round.
What variations have you used on this theme? Some use mystery book reader and ???? Would love your feedback in a comment below.
What does it look like?