Classroom Tales

I’ve had an idea- not a radical one- but something I want to try to see if I can get off the ground.

But first a bit of background..

I’m leading some sessions to Primary PGCE students at the University of East Anglia (UEA) on Wednesday and Thursday which are focusing around ‘Putting the c back into ICT) – we are going to be exploring the use of tools such as blogs, twitter and other communication related tech in the primary classroom.

One area we will be discussing is the use of Video conferencing, and the use of things such as Skype, Eluminate etc in school.   This is something we’ve used a bit in the past (for example, linking with with @frogphilips year 6’s who taught us about google docs, linking up with a head teachers conference in the UAE etc) , but something which I feel I haven’t quite exploited to it’s full potential.

My classes communication skills and general confidence is also low.

And I also have a class assembly slot on Friday along with the next hour as our ‘blogging time’ which is lacking something.

So last night, I had a bit of an idea.  I want to use video conferencing and our Friday morning ‘slot’ to link my class with as many different people and classes as possible.

The idea is that each Friday, we would have a conversation with someone/a group over skype (or other video chat tool).

This someone could be anyone who has something to share and/or for us to ask about, whether that be their hobby, job, skill, where they live etc…  We could talk to other teachers, other classes (yes please!), authors, comedians, actors, dancers, lawyers, doctors, scientists, pilots, someone with an interesting job or anyone else.   Hopefully we could link with with people from all over the UK and internationally to0.   I’m hoping that some of you reading this will be willing to talk to us! And that I can use the power of twitter and the internet to ‘recruit’ even more people for us to talk to.

[There are obvious potential safegauding issues here, but I think today we’ve managed to iron these out- after all, it’s just about being sensible.]

This is how I see it working:-

• People ‘sign up’ to say they are interested/willing to talk to us using the form below.
• We (assuming people are willing) come up with a ‘timetable’ of who we are speaking to, when.
• The weekend before, I let my class know who we’ll be speaking to- they then have the week to perhaps do some background research and come up with some super questions etc…
• We have the conversation on the Friday- not for long- just 10-15 mins or so.
• My class learn lots, find out about something/somewhere different
• They are also encouraged to blog about what we have found out, write nice thank you notes/e-cards etc, and share what we have learnt with the world.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a one way thing- we would also answer questions etc

This could work, it could not. No-one could be willing/interested in talking to us, or lots of people could.  But I thought it was worth a try- and I look forward to updating you on how we are getting on (if indeed we get it off the ground in the first place ).

So..

Will you talk to us?  Do you know someone who might? If so please fill in the form below and we’ll be in touch.   We’d also love you to spread the word as far as possible- who knows who we might end up talking to

[Remember, we are not looking for experts, or anyone in particular- classess, individuals, education related or not- it’s all about variety- and we’ll be a lovely bunch to talk to, honest ]

I’d also, of course, be interested in your thoughts on this too!

Tim