Virtual Field Trip to Kansas For a Skype-A-Thon!

Today in class we participated in a Skype-a-thon! We connected through Skype with a mastery 6th and 8th grade Science teacher from Kansas. We skyped with her 8th grade class during our science class. First, we were introduced to Andrea Friend and her class, and Andrea gave us a background about what they are doing. They were participating in international Skype week where they connect with different classes from all around the world. Andrea did a "mystery" Skype with her class where they had to ask us yes or no questions about our location to try to to figure out where we are located. We also were trying to figure out where they were located by asking them questions too. The students all had their own map to use a guide to ask questions and cross off areas that didn't apply to their thinking.  

Once our class discovered where they are located (Kansas) and they discovered we are in New York, Andrea talked to us more about integrating Skype into the classroom and the many benefits of it. It is important to her for her students to remember her class and take something from the learning and experiences with them into their future. This will be very important to me to as a future teacher. One of my main goals is to make many fun memories and teach my students life lessons that they can take with them.

After this discussion, one of the students came up to the webcam and explained to our class one of the Skype projects they have done in the past. They have connected with Africa and Greece and linked together to discuss and learn about clean drinking water. The students were all working together to help Africa obtain fresh and clean drinking water. This was an amazing opportunity for the students and such a brilliant idea. I think it is awesome that these students get to link up with not even other states, but other countries too. This class truly made memories by doing this considering this project was done years ago and they still remember it like it had happened yesterday. You could tell they were all very enthusiastic about this project and enjoyed every second of it. It is much for fun and interactive then taking notes all class!

After that, Andrea told us she was going to wrap up her lesson and have her students reflect on their learning. Instead of saying goodbye right then and there, she had us watch and listen to her conclude the lesson to teach us ways to do that. The students all reflected on what they learned and what they did and sat all together and spoke about it. This was a great way to conclude a lesson and checking what the students learned and understood. The class had an excellent discussion about their learning for the day and Andrea challenged their minds to think outside the box. Andrea also gave us an opportunity to ask her questions about anything related to education which was extremely helpful and appreciative!


Andrea was a true inspiration to me and I am so glad we got introduced to this Skype-a-thon and helped their class gain miles for their adventure! I learned a lot during this class and using Skype in my classroom one day will definitely be essential. It is amazing how many connections you can make and how beneficial and enjoyable it is for all students. It was great to hear how much Andrea loves what she does (teaching), so much that she started to get emotional. Through stressful times like these  coming to the end of the semester where we are cramming in so many assignments and have finals, it is easy to have thoughts of giving up. Hearing someone like Andrea speak such highly about teaching and making every little thing for your students work was a true inspiration and I aspire to be like her as a teacher one day and leave an impression like she does on her students and peers!