About the author: Carrie Zimmer
Carrie Zimmer, who has 15 years experience in education, is working at the American School of Milan in Milan, Italy. She is part of the Apple Distinguished Educator Class of 2013. Carrie has transitioned from an elementary classroom teacher to technology specialist, and is always looking for ways to integrate technology products into instruction. She is originally from the United States, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Bowling Green State University, and two graduate degrees from Georgia Southern University.
|
one best thing --One Best Thing is a collection of books created by Apple Distinguished Educators (ADEs) that demonstrate the use of Apple technologies to transform teaching
and learning.
MYSTERY SKYPE: CONNECTING STUDENTS GLOBALLYMystery Skype is when two or
more classes call each other via video chat and try to guess where the other classroom is located in
the world. Participants ask and answer questions and provide clues when necessary. Only the teachers involved know the locations of the other participants
|
As forengin language teachers, Skype is a very useful tool to improve students' languages skills. The teacher can set up appointment with other students who speak the target language from different countries. Speaking from my personal experience, my Japanese teacher has a session every Monday evening. Students will go to the language lab that has computers and other technology supports, and then we talk to high school students from Japan using Japanese. And as an exchange, we practice English with them too. I think it is very fun way to improve the students' speaking skills.