Fifth grade enjoys a virtual author visit

If you were a teacher, how would you arrange for your students to speak with a famous author? You could pay the author's travel expenses and speaking fees—out of the question in these tough economic times. You could have students write letters and ask questions, then wait for the author's response—takes way too long. Or you could use the Internet!

Elementary school librarian Jody DeJong did exactly that on Friday, Nov. 20 as she arranged a virtual visit by author Arthur Slade for the fifth grade. The conversation was made possible via Skype (a service that allows person-to-person voice and video connections over the Internet). Using a laptop, an overhead projector, a webcam, and a computer microphone, students could both see Mr. Slade on a giant screen and speak with him. He began by sharing a little about himself and his writing. Then, for the next half hour, students asked him questions.

After earning an honor's English degree from the University of Saskatchewan, Arthur Slade spent five years in advertising before committing to his passion of writing. His young adult novels include the “Northern Frights” series, the “Canadian Chills” series, "Monsterology," "Dust" (a literary award winner), Tribes, "Megiddo’s Shadow," and "The Hunchback Assignments." He lives in Saskatoon with his wife, Brenda, and daughter, Tori.

"Technology let us do something with out students that would not have been able to do otherwise," said Mrs. DeJong. "It was very technologically advanced for everyone involved and went off without a hitch."