Mystery Skype

            Mystery skype is just as exciting as it sounds! It is possible through the Skype technologies and allows your students to interview and talk to important people relevant to their curriculum. The mystery skype is similar to Guess Who, the students ask yes or no questions to figure out where the Skyper is located and who they are. The students can Skype authors of their favorite books, people across the world, and even other classrooms. The teacher sets up the mystery skype and knows who and where they are, but does not share this information with the class. For example, she might choose someone from a country or region that they have been learning about. The guest might talk about their culture and weather as the students determine where they are.

            While a Mystery Skype is happening it is crucial for the teacher to have strict classroom management or the situation could easily get out of control. In order for this to happen, she must have created jobs for each cooperative group. These groups will collaborate with one another, as well as in their own groups, to complete their tasks. One group might be in charge of the map. They would take in the information about the location of the Skyper, and feed questions about the next possible location. Students must collaborate with one another for this to run smoothly. While reading the map, the students must work together to determine the next move as one. They must agree and work well together.

            Mystery Skype is all about communication! Students are able to communicate with people they never imagined they would be talking to. They are able to experience cultures and teach others about their culture. If a language barrier is a problem, the students are challenged to continue communication by critically thinking and problem solving about how to talk to one another. The students are being challenged on both ends of the Skype to achieve the ultimate goal of communicating! They are being asked to figure out and use the answers given to them by the other side to determine their next move. They are processing and thinking critically about what to ask next. One experience with this tool is enough to change the student’s thinking! They are going to be quicker on their feet, better with their map skills, and better at collaborating with their peers!

            Students can be creative with mystery skype. While asking questions, they must be creative and stop thinking generically. Generic questions get the students nowhere in a Mystery Skype. Questions must feed from one another and stem from the one before it. Creativity is key when planning these questions as well. Students must prepare for the next question as the current question is being asked and answered. Creativity and quickness are important with this! Mystery Skype opens a world of opportunities for the students to discover. They are challenged to communicate and think quickly with people they do not know. They are immersed in the culture and learning!