My colleagues and I would like to try some collaborative projects between elementary and secondary students. Our buildings are not close, so in-person events are impossible during the school day. Do you have any suggestions for projects involving students from different grade levels?
—Cindy, Roswell, Georgia
I’ve always envied school districts with facilities close enough for students to go back and forth. I thought it would be interesting for my middle-school students to work with elementary students and be mentored by high school students. However, I found out face-to-face interactions were difficult to coordinate even in districts with a single campus due to different schedules and the reluctance of some principals to have students leave the building during the day.
In the “old days,” we tried pen-pals or email-pals, sending projects and materials back and forth between schools. Although there was initial interest, the time lag and lack of face-to-face opportunities for feedback led to the gradual demise of these programs.
New web-based tools and Internet accessibility have rekindled interest in inter-school projects. Possibilities for collaborations might include having older students create podcasts or videos, which can be posted on school-friendly sites such as TeacherTube.
Another possibility is computer-based video conferencing. The logistics are fairly simple now: a computer with a camera and microphone (some computers have these built in; if not they are inexpensive to add), Internet access, and software such as Skype (the software is free to download and access between Skype accounts is free; visit www.skype.com). Personally, I’m hooked on video conferencing—communicating with colleagues across the United States and in Australia and “attending” meetings online rather than traveling several hours to a site.

Before you start, brainstorm some possible types of collaborations to make sure a project is worth the time and effort and accomplishes an academic purpose. A once-and-done demonstration event is easy to do, but an ongoing collaboration requires thought and planning. Older students could teach a brief science lesson, answer questions, demonstrate how to use scientific equipment, then watch the younger ones practice or offer advice on science investigations. Younger students could initiate a question and answer session on science topics or high school science courses. Older students get the opportunity to summarize their own learning and work with younger students, who could benefit from these role models. Students at both levels could communicate in other languages. The article “Skype in the Classroom: Technology Brings Students Together” shows an example of an inter-school project.
Some schools may have sites such as Skype blocked or not allow software to be downloaded. It’s interesting that schools are so concerned with the possibility of students accessing inappropriate sites or images that legitimate academic projects are discouraged. Perhaps if you had a rationale for using web conferencing (focused on science learning) and a detailed plan for the event (including proper supervision), a small crack in the firewall could be arranged for your project. Present your case to your information technology director or principal.
Test your connection with a colleague first to iron out any bumps. The first time you try an online conference, there will probably be a lot of oh-wows and giggles, particularly if the students are unfamiliar with the process. Give yourself permission to make a few mistakes or fumbles, too. (It took me a few times until I figured out how to display my image!) Once the initial giggles and fumbles are over, focused events can begin.
After you get hooked up, the possibilities are virtually endless—including a student on extended medical leave in class activities, connecting several classes for an event, interviewing a scientist, inviting interested elementary or middle school students to “sit in” on a high school discussion (or vice versa), holding online parent conferences, engaging in professional development with teachers in other schools, hosting virtual visits by parents or other teachers. To find potential collaborators beyond your own school, use resources such as the NSTA Communities or the NSTA listserves.
Starting in the January 2010 issue of The Science Teacher, “Science 2.0” will discuss tools for sharing and creating content via Web 2.0. If you don’t get a hard copy of this journal in the mail, you can check out the column online.
Resources:
50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom
The Many Roles of Skype in the Classroom
Skype in Schools
Skype in the Classroom
Using Skype in the Classroom