Through one of my educational technology contacts I was recently introduced to Brian Crosby, a fifth grade teacher near Reno, Nevada. Brian and I have been using Skype to discuss ways our classes might collaborate using technology tools. We decided it was time for our classes to meet, so on Tuesday (Dec. 18) we arranged for our first videoconference online. We set up our laptops in front of the classroom next to our white boards where our laptop screens are projected. When our class returned from recess we were able to see Mr. Crosby’s class on our white board! For the next half hour or so we went back and forth, sharing things about our classes and the neighborhoods surrounding our schools. We also told a little about the projects we have done that involve technology. Finally, we discussed some of our current projects in science, as we hope to share some of these projects in the months to come. For example, our class trip to Space Camp (Kennedy Space Center) on Feb. 13, 2008, will be a great thing to share with our new friends in Nevada.

    We discovered many similarities and differences between our classes. Our class spent some time today brainstorming with a Venn Diagram, to see how many items we could list in a short period of time. We then made lists of the three most significant similarities and differences from our point of view. Each student made his or her own lists.

    Finally, we gave some thought to the future. How can we get to know each other better? was the main question we asked ourselves. When both classes return in January we will schedule additional videoconferences. We hope to learn from Mr. Crosby’s class, as they have much more experience videoconferencing than we do. We’ve created quite a few podcasts, and hope to be able to share these with our new friends. All in all, we know we’ll be able to learn from one another as we share back and forth in the months ahead. If you’d like to read about this experience from Mr. Crosby’s perspective, you can! Check back later; we’ll have a video podcast of our first Skype videoconference posted here soon!