What is a Mystery Skype?
A Mystery Skype is a Skype call between two classes with mystery locations. The classes don't know where the other is located and each class tries to figure the other's location by asking questions and using resources along the way. Each class' goal is to guess the other school's location (country, state, city, school). Students need to use their critical thinking skills and communicate well in order to be successful.
How do you Connect with Other Classes?
1. Twitter #mysteryskype
2. Skype in the Classroom Website (Mystery Skype Link)
3. Personal connections
2. Skype in the Classroom Website (Mystery Skype Link)
3. Personal connections
Before the actual Skype call you will need to do some preparation.
Preparation Before Introduction to Class
1. Create a roles sheet for your students. You can either have them choose their roles based on their strengths or you can assign them roles for the first Mystery Skype and then observe and make changes as needed for following calls.
2. Create a Clue Keepers Google Doc where students will record the other classes answers and brainstorm questions to ask.
3. Create Today's Meet room for back channeling conversations during the call.
4. Determine how you want to "play" with the other teacher. There are a couple versions out there and it's always best to know in advance so you can prep your students.
Preparation with the Class
1. Show a Mystery Skype video to get the students excited. A couple times instead of playing the video first I played 20 questions with the class to see if they could guess what the activity was based on my answers.
2. Go over each role and the responsibilities and skills it builds.
3. Go over the rules of Mystery Skype.
4. Show the documents the class will be using and do a mock run through (brief, like 5 minutes max)
5. Brainstorm possible questions to ask the other class. I have done this in a variety of ways: Padlet, Google Doc, Today's Meet. Whichever works best for you.
6. If I didn't assign roles, I let the students write a letter to me to persuade me which role to give them.
Day Before Preparation
1. Confirm the time with the other teacher. Don't forget to take into account the time difference!
2. If possible, set up a Skype test call with the other teacher.
3. Draw a map of how your classroom will be set up and where everyone will sit.
4. Share documents with students and give editing privileges to those that need them.
Day Of
1. Have students set up and ready to go about 10 minutes before the call.
2. While they wait I have students use the restroom or reread the questions so we are prepared.
3. Have fun!
4. Sit back and observe. I really try to let students lead, make mistakes, solve problems, and have disagreements. They learn more from the experience than I could ever teach them.
5. After the Mystery Skype we always have some processing time. Students reflect on what we did well and what we could improve. Again, I have done this in a variety of ways and you can choose the best for your class. Before we do our next Mystery Skype I pull the reflections up so we know what to focus on.
Preparation Before Introduction to Class
1. Create a roles sheet for your students. You can either have them choose their roles based on their strengths or you can assign them roles for the first Mystery Skype and then observe and make changes as needed for following calls.
2. Create a Clue Keepers Google Doc where students will record the other classes answers and brainstorm questions to ask.
3. Create Today's Meet room for back channeling conversations during the call.
4. Determine how you want to "play" with the other teacher. There are a couple versions out there and it's always best to know in advance so you can prep your students.
Preparation with the Class
1. Show a Mystery Skype video to get the students excited. A couple times instead of playing the video first I played 20 questions with the class to see if they could guess what the activity was based on my answers.
2. Go over each role and the responsibilities and skills it builds.
3. Go over the rules of Mystery Skype.
4. Show the documents the class will be using and do a mock run through (brief, like 5 minutes max)
5. Brainstorm possible questions to ask the other class. I have done this in a variety of ways: Padlet, Google Doc, Today's Meet. Whichever works best for you.
6. If I didn't assign roles, I let the students write a letter to me to persuade me which role to give them.
Day Before Preparation
1. Confirm the time with the other teacher. Don't forget to take into account the time difference!
2. If possible, set up a Skype test call with the other teacher.
3. Draw a map of how your classroom will be set up and where everyone will sit.
4. Share documents with students and give editing privileges to those that need them.
Day Of
1. Have students set up and ready to go about 10 minutes before the call.
2. While they wait I have students use the restroom or reread the questions so we are prepared.
3. Have fun!
4. Sit back and observe. I really try to let students lead, make mistakes, solve problems, and have disagreements. They learn more from the experience than I could ever teach them.
5. After the Mystery Skype we always have some processing time. Students reflect on what we did well and what we could improve. Again, I have done this in a variety of ways and you can choose the best for your class. Before we do our next Mystery Skype I pull the reflections up so we know what to focus on.