I've had a Skype account for some time now, in order to stay in contact with family and friends. My username is rmetzger77.
I started using Skype with students in our class about six months ago, with the intention of practicing interviewing skills via Skype. Students feel very intimidated by it, and thus far, we have made progress with making small introductions and conversations with an ABE class at Garnet Career Center. I help students to brainstorm conversation topics before they start Skyping.
My big plan for the future is to practice mock interviewing with another ABE class. I've made plans to start this project with the Garnet class in September. I've also spoken with Denise Aiken about Skying one of her classes.
In the spring, I had a WV Learns class about WebQuests (WQ), and I made a WQ for employment portfolios. This is a SPOKES module in our class. It can be found at employmentportfoliowebquest.weebly.com . A piece of the WQ under "Interviewing WebQuest" involves using Skype for mock interviewing, and there is an attached rubric for the other class to rate my students' interviewing skills. I am excited about September arriving and helping move my students past simple introductions with Skype.
Rebecca, I am considering incorporating Skype into my classroom. I am not sure how my students would react to it. Maybe we could set up an introductory session to get them comfortable? Not sure that any would be ready for a "mock" interview. How about an "interview" outfit fashion show? They could score with a rubric - might be less intimidating to start.
ReplyDeleteSandra, our class Skyped with Garnet for several months in the spring to build up a comfort level with using it. Before calling the other class, I would have students to brainstorm about conversation topics they could talk about while Skyping (what high school they attended, family/kids, what goals they had in SPOKES/ABE). I would write their ideas on the board and leave it up during the Skype session as a reminder. It was completely informal. Now that their confidence has been built, we're moving onto assignments and the mock interviewing. We would love to schedule a session with your class.
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