Adventures in Distance Learning

Skyping with the Maryland Historical Society

March 2013

• analyzed curriculum needs (CCSS)• analyzed what resources

would be available (we chose Skype)

March 2013

• looked for partners that would fit curriculum needs:• Maryland Historical Society

(www.mdhs.org)• National Park Service (Fort McHe

nry) (www.nps.gov/teachers)

• Historic St. Mary’s City (www.hsmcdigshistory.org)

• Virginia Historical Society (www.vahistorical.org)

• Skype in the Classroom (education.skype.com)

• analyzed the possible programs and formally requested a partnership

April 2013

• built a lesson with our partner• created a list of

considerations (time constraints, logistics, dates)• developed a planning and

implementation timeline

April 2013

• conducted technical testing with partner and another classroom in the building:• camera, microphone, and

speaker quality• Internet connection and

software installation• physical arrangement and

lighting of the room

• discussed student expectations• built student background

knowledge• prepared necessary handouts

May 2013

• students read primary source materials to identify the various reasons that people colonized Maryland• students categorized the

painting “Settlement of Maryland by Lord Baltimore” as a secondary source by analyzing details• students drew their own

interpretation of a primary source description of a Native American

May/June 2013

• reflected on our experience (included our partner in the conference)• discussed a continuation of

the partnership

Continuation

• repeated the Skype experience with new students from October 2013-January 2014• continued to analyze

primary and secondary sources with MDHS through Twitter