Author SKYPE Visit

My students recently had the opportunity to meet a children’s author via SKYPE! Through the blogging world, I came across Kate Messner who is a children’s author. I visited her website and found out she meets with schools regularly to talk about the writing process and all that is involved with being an author “behind-the-scenes.” But, even better, I found out she will do this via SKYPE.

I loved this idea immediately. One, it requires less on both parties to travel or host. Secondly, technology is being pumped into our school’s pipeline and what better way to expose students to appropriate usage than through an educational SKYPE fieldtrip?!

I asked my local library to gather as many copies of her book, Marty McGuire, as possible so I could grab them for my students. I found it best to select 5 students to participate (with parental permission of course!) that way they each had ample time to interact with the author. I have a cluster of highly intelligent students (classified as “TD”) and utilized their book club/guided reading time to read Kate’s book called. My students loved the book because it was set in a third grade classroom with lots of events the students could relate to.

After my students were done reading the book over a two week period, I handed them a review guide. This guide prompted them to make connections, predictions, list questions, etc. This was their preparation for their SKYPE visit. I wanted them to have plenty of ideas to share if time allowed.

The day of the SKYPE visit came. I borrowed my Literacy facilitator’s ipad, hooked it up to the Smart Board and…whala! We were in business. Students screamed with joy as Kate’s face appeared on the screen and began talking. They were in shock that they were meeting someone famous! Kate was so personable and easy to talk to. She answered all of my students’ questions (even how old she was! Oops, how’d I let that get in there?) and allowed them to share their favorite parts of the book. My students loved finding out she is a former teacher! (middle school) As the visit began to wind down and the students said their “thank you’s” and many “goodbye’s,” I realized what an experience we all just had. When I heard them chatting down the hallway, saying “oh my gosh!” and “that was so cool!” I knew as a teacher I did good.

Utilizing technology with students is important. The jobs they will hold in the future will require skills on technological devices that haven’t even been invented yet. As a teacher, exposing students to technology is a must. But, showing them appropriate use is even more important. SKYPE is often used to chat with loved ones who live far away. However, my students might be interviewing over SKYPE as they get older. Students all over the world are learning online and will interact with their college professors on something similar to SKYPE. Therefore, this experience is the stepping stone to greater things. I am confident my students know how to prepare for a professional interaction over the internet as well as how to conduct themselves during the conversation.

I am so glad I brought reading a book to life for my students. Next time, I want to figure out how to include all of my students!

Have you utilized SKYPE in the classroom? If so, how?

If not, what technology have you implemented?

About the author, Gretchen

I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.

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