Skyping+with+4B+in+Iowa

Students in 4VH had the wonderful opportunity to skype with a fourth grade class in Milford, Iowa. The teacher and I connected via a Skype in Schools want ad; she was looking for a class near a metropolitan area so her students who live in a rural area could compare what their areas are like. Our students first shared with them their Pennsylvania Travel Guide videos. Going into the travel guide project, our students knew they were creating for an audience outside our school and they were very excited to teach others about our state.

Prior to skyping, we discussed different roles they would have during the call. Everyone having a job keeps everyone focused, busy and working toward an authentic purpose. These are the assignments: The students were so excited to make this connection. To prepare for the call, the students visited several websites suggested by Mrs. Brecher. From those, the children were able to ask some informed questions such as the ones below:
 * [[image:skyping_with_Iowa_005.jpg width="160" height="119" caption="Interviewer"]] || [[image:skyping_with_Iowa_015.jpg width="160" height="119" caption="Interviewer"]] || [[image:skyping_with_Iowa_036.jpg width="160" height="119" caption="Note-taker"]] || [[image:skyping_with_Iowa_024.jpg width="160" height="119" caption="Note-taker"]] ||
 * [[image:skyping_with_Iowa_029.jpg width="160" height="119" caption="Reflective Post Author"]] || [[image:skyping_with_Iowa_011.jpg width="146" height="129" caption="Reflective Post Author"]] || [[image:skyping_with_Iowa_030.jpg width="160" height="119" caption="Researcher"]] || [[image:skyping_with_Iowa_032.jpg width="160" height="119" caption="Researcher"]] ||
 * [[image:skyping_with_Iowa_017.jpg width="160" height="119" caption="Researcher"]] || [[image:skyping_with_Iowa_010.jpg width="159" height="138" caption="Videographer"]] || [[image:skyping_with_Iowa_023.jpg width="160" height="119" caption="Interviewer, Photographer, Greeter"]] ||  ||
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We had some technical difficulty during the call but that did not deter the students from learning about each other. They just used the skype chat function instead and sent instant messages with their questions and answers. 4B's answers to our questions ||  || Live "blogging" during skype call || media type="scribd" key="46411865" ARG0="key-1h3q37g20wdsqms7y6u6" height="400" width="300" Live "blogging" during skype call ||
 * media type="scribd" key="46411891" ARG0="key-4e8untbqid3y0qln5jw" height="400" width="300"
 * media type="scribd" key="46411805" ARG0="key-542dzpavj6a7ctcrohh" height="400" width="300"