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Virtual Author Visits in Your Library or Classroom
The mission of the Skype an Author Network is to provide K-12 teachers and librarians with a way to connect authors, books, and young readers through virtual visits.
Wouldn't it be great to invite authors into your classroom or library to video chat with students before, during, and/or after reading their books? We are growing a list of authors who want to make that connection with you via Skype. Visit our Skype Overview page to learn more about Skype. It all started when author Mona Kerby visited Grandview Library in 2008 to talk to our 2nd graders about her book Owney, The Mail Pouch Pooch. In 2009, Ms. Kerby visited our new class of 2nd graders via Skype. The children and their teachers cheered when Ms. Kerby "appeared" on our Smart Board. Ms. Kerby talked about Owney and the process she went through to research, write, and publish the book. Several of the children asked Ms. Kerby questions and the whole group enjoyed waving at and thanking Ms. Kerby for "visiting". Our goal is to set up a network of authors who are willing to participate in Skype conversations with students in classrooms and libraries. This wiki provides a page for each author who joins the network. Our author template ensures consistency of content and keeps things simple for authors, teachers, and librarians. The author pages provide procedural and contact information. Take a look at Mona Kerby's page as an example. Arrangements for Skype visits are initiated via email and/or phone between the author and the teacher and/or librarian. Authors offer two types of visits:
Once you are comfortable with "Skyping" you can try additional web-based technologies to enhance your visits, for example:
The possibilities for collaboration are many. If you have used other tools during your sessions, please start a "Discussion" to share with all of our members. | Jewish Books Page Click to Visit Skype a Poet National Poetry Month England - October 2009 United States - April 2010 Poem in Your Pocket April 29, 2010 Our Poets.... Josie Whitehead   Author/Illustrator Mike Artell Shares a Skype Visit |
I recently visited a school in Dubai, sitting in my office in South India ! 1588 miles, and 1 hour and half of time difference... The visit went smoothly, with no technical glitches, and the children, the teachers and I had a great time talking to each other. Afterwards, the teachers asked the children to write about the experience (these were 4th and 5th graders.) Here are a couple of responses I received :
2/9/10 I've had a blast visiting classrooms around the country (from my dining room office) the past few months. In November I talked with students from my home grade school in Indiana. I was honored to be the first author visit for a Texas school in December. Next month I'm scheduled to read my latest picture book for a school in Illinois, and then in March I'm talking to schools in Florida and Ohio on the same day (with no jet lag!) It doesn't get any easier than this! Suzanne Slade is the author of 70 children's books, 
1/5/10 A favorite part of author visits is receiving thank you letters afterwards. I didn't expect to receive them for virtual visits, but early in January, I received a bundle of hand written letters from students in Lincoln, Nebraska. What a thrill. Banin said, "I would like to thank you for visiting us on Skype. My favorite part is when you said 'never give up and do your best'. It was cool of you to take up your time and help us with books." Jacqueline said, "I really enjoyed asking you questions and you replying". Annastazya said "My favorite part of Skype was learning about your books. I love THE PUMPKIN RUNNER." Thanks to their wonderful teacher Meredith for making the visit possible.
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