Mystery+Skype+-+What+is+it?

=Welcome to Mystery Skyping!=

It's a great way to connect with classes from around the world

 * Pair up with classes from anywhere that time zones allow!
 * Open students up to classes from around the globe.

It's an engaging way to teach geography and map skills

 * Using a variety of geography based questions, students try to find the location of another class.
 * The use of Google Maps and atlases give students the opportunity to study the many countries, states, and landmarks of the world.

It's an amazing team building exercise

 * With students having different jobs, each plays an important role in discovering the final location.
 * Students must work together in order for the activity to be successful

How it works

 * Classes go back and forth asking questions to help them find the location of the other school. If a class asked a question that receives a yes answer, they get to ask a follow up question. If they ask a question that receives a no answer, the other class then has an opportunity to ask a question.


 * Students have different roles that allow them to work together to try to find the location.
 * **Inquirers** - They are the students actually speaking with the other class. They are in charge of both asking relevant, closed questions as well as answering the other class' questions. An example of a question that they may ask would be, "are you east of the Mississippi River?"
 * **Question Keepers** - These students are in charge or recording each question that is asked as well as the response. This allows for information to be reviewed during the course of the Mystery Skype. It also allows for questions to be saved to be posted later on a blog or wiki.
 * ** Google Mappers ** - These students use online maps to search based upon the clues that are given. They use the maps to zoom in on different countries, states, cities, and geographic landmarks to narrow in on the location of the other class. They then can share this information to come up with new questions.
 * ** Runner ** - This person is in charge of running between all the other jobs. They share information that is gathered as well as bring questions to the inquirers. They help to keep order so that everyone isn't yelling out across the room.
 * ** Logical Reasoners ** - Use information to try to eliminate states and countries. In many cases, they use a puzzle to try to remove pieces as they're able to.
 * ** Clue Keepers ** - Clue keepers use a map to mark down any important information. They can color, cross out, and make marks on the map to help narrow down the choices and formulate new questions.
 * ** Atlas ** - Students use a traditional atlas to help find the location.
 * ** Photographer ** - A student who takes pictures of the event so that they can be posted online.


 * The call continues until both classes have discovered the location of one another. Afterwards, the classes can discuss a little bit about their location and what a typical school day is like.

Resources

 * Mystery Skype - Who Could It Be? - Mr. Avery's Class Blog
 * The Excitement of Learning - Langwitches Blog
 * Mystery Skype with Langwitches - Mrs. Yollis' Class Blog