#MysterySkype @skypeclassroom @FVSofColorado

As the new Library Technology Educator, I wanted to bring the game of Mystery Location to Fountain Valley School. Mystery Location is a video-conferencing game where two schools connect but the students do not know where the other school is from.  With younger students, typically teachers assign jobs such as Google Mapper, Logical Reasoner, Photographer, Clue Keeper, Inquirer, Answer, and runner.  With older students, we decided to create teams where one team would do all the jobs and decide on the next question.  The students develop Yes/No Questions to ask to determine where the students are. As with researching, students should start with a large idea and ask questions to make the idea smaller.  Both teachers attempt to guide the students to narrow their search and not just guess where they are.  
During the call, students can use Google Map and Wikipedia to find out what country or state the other school is located.  The two classrooms take turns asking and answering questions.  Students use their communication and problem-solving skills to find the school.  Many of our International students did not know all the geography facts about the US, but as a team, they all were very successful. Mystery Skype is a great way for our students to practice their 21st Century Skills of  communication, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration.

Jen Lebo stated: “I loved watching my students come together to solve problems.  I saw some students working with Google Maps, while others were discussing possible solutions, or their next questions.  Kids were laughing together, working together and having fun!  But what I most loved was that they connected with another class in another part of our country, a group of kids significantly younger than they were.  And they enjoyed it.  They all went over to the computer afterwards and started sharing facts together.  It was a great ending.  And my students kept asking if we could do it again.  Success!”