Mystery Skype

Mystery Skype Rules

- Everyone needs to open up the following tabs on their computer:

This tab to see your job
Today's Google Doc (see below)
A blank tab that you will use for Google searches
Our spreadsheet of questions and answers

- Google Doc rules:

Keep the font size, color, and style the same
Don't use the chat feature or the comment field

- No backchanneling today (Today's Meet or Twitter)
- Everyone needs to be actively researching and adding intelligent questions to the Google Doc throughout the Mystery Skype
- Please be good and try hard! I don't want this to be a waste of our time! Thanks.

Mystery Skype Roles

Here are the jobs:

Researchers (Everyone): This is the most important job and one that everyone needs to do. Looking up the answers to questions we are asked when we don't know how to answer them by memory. Everyone needs an atlas and a computer. Come up with questions to ask them by adding them to the Google Doc. I think we did a nice job with this last time - some people just need to make sure they are adding their ideas to the Google Doc.
Greeters (22,24): Greets the partner school/makes initial introduction. Offers the other school a chance to introduce themselves & ask the 1st question. We need to be more specific by stating our own names and introducing the sharers by name and the questioners by name.
Sharers (10,25): Share something special about our school, city, or state. It could be a song/dance, souvenir, but nothing that will give anything away. This has to be more natural than it was last time. If you need to practice before our Mystery Skype, then please practice!
Questioners (2,6,11): Ask the other school questions that help us learn their whereabouts. Responsible for keeping the conversation going. Questions are kept on a Google Doc so all Questioners can see them and so others in the room can have their questions asked. You did a nice job last time, but you need to do a better job of knowing whose turn it is to ask questions, and be a little quicker to decide our question when it is our turn (be reading the Google Doc while the other team is thinking or speaking).

Liaisons (___,___): Whenever the Questioners need the Researchers to do anything, it is your job to quietly ask the Researchers to do it. Be specific with what you are asking for (e.g. "The Questioners need a question. Let's try to narrow down which part of the state they live in."). NEW
Photographers (16,17): Responsible for taking lots and lots of high-quality photos while everyone is working. We need many more photos of our class working - we didn't get enough photos. Also, they were blurry so remember to press the trigger halfway to focus before pushing all the way down.
Videographers (1,13): Responsible for videotaping the entire event, especially the dialogue between schools. Never press PAUSE! The only time you should have the video camera on the projection is when they are talking to us. The rest of the time you should get us working. Also, it cannot be so shaky - move slowly from one place to the next, don't zoom in - there's no need for it!

Data Enterers (7,9): Enter questions and answers into our Google Form below. (The entries will appear in the spreadsheet at the bottom of this page. Your suggestions can be found below (just above the Google Form).

Google Mappers (3,20): Use Google Maps to put a placeholder where we think (and eventually know) our partner school's location. I need you to create a screencast (on QuickTime with sound) of your search on Google Maps and upload it to YouTube.
Closers (4,21): Wrap up the Mystery Skype by thanking the other class and asking some questions that show an interest. NEW
Signers (14,23): Create signs that tell the other class whose turn it is. Hold up those signs at appropriate times during the Mystery Skype. NEW
Task Masters (8,18): Walk around and VERY NICELY help people stay on task. You may need to show some kids how to do things online, so be willing to be a teacher! Don't do anything silly in front of the camera! NEW
Linkers (5,19): While you are researching, add links to the Google Doc for others to see the great resources that you find. Encourage others to add links that will help people as well. NEW

More jobs to think about: http://pernillesripp.com/2013/08/08/mystery-skype-jobs-created-by-my-students/

Retired Jobs:

Google Earthers (__,__): Use Google Earth to find the location of the partner classroom, using hints and answers from our questions. I need you to create a screencast (on QuickTime with sound) of your search on Google Earth and upload it to YouTube.
Bloggers (__,__): Acting as a live reporter, you write a blog entry that details everything that is happening! I still have not read your blogs - please share them with me or tell me where they are posted.
Screencasters (__,__): Responsible for making sure that the screencast works. We will use QuickTime to record our Skype call since it will be more than the 15 minutes allowed by Screencast-o-matic. It will now be your responsibility to get the screencast to record with sound - I will supervise.
Backchannelers (__,__): When we did backchanneling, students used Today's Meet to share observations, discussions, and questions/answers. It seemed superfluous since we basically do that with our Google Form.

Suggestions for making our Google Spreadsheet better:

Use capital letters and correct end punctuation.
Start each question with a "Q:" and each answer with an "A:".

See our spreadsheet with questions and answers, here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AreU69ni5u42dFZvRmlKX1lhUlFVXzhYMUREY01wU3c