Yesterday was our first Mystery Skype of the year.
My class was hyped!
Earlier, I tested my webcam, and everything was in order.
It did cross my mind to contact the teacher and do a practice run, but that thought went out of my head as quickly as it went in. (Note to self:Always do a practice run!)
The Skype was scheduled for 2 p.m.
So much talking, movement, excitement!
The video call begins.(I laugh when I think about how excited they got!)
We say hello, and the teacher says, "We can't hear you."
Nooooooooooo!
All I can think of as we try this,that, and the other, is how disappointed my kids will be if we don't get this to work.
Press things, hang up,call back, nothing is working.
Arghhhhhhhhh!
We messaged each other back and forth and decided to do it anyway.
Both of our classes were first timers, the teacher was also a first timer, but we did it.
We could see and hear them.
They could see us.
I typed.
My kids used signals.
One finger for "Yes."
Two fingers for "No."
It worked.
We guessed each other's state, had fun, learned geography, and we will hook up again with a working microphone.
Sometimes the technology doesn't work. And that's ok.
Love this blog post -- what's most important about the experience is that both you and the other educator did it. You made it happen. No fear in failure. Like anything in life there will be hiccups and obstacles but we only master our craft of teaching by trying new things. Thanks for sharing your class with us.
ReplyDeleteLike anything in life there will be hiccups and obstacles but we only master our craft of teaching by trying new things." Too many times people forget this. Thank you!
Delete