A crucial part of being a good conversationalist is knowing how to ask great questions. Mystery Skype, a classroom game growing ever more popular, is a fun way to help students flex those question-asking muscles and learn a little something about the world. How it works: Two teachers, anywhere in the world, link up via video chat at a predetermined time with their classes. The students then take turns asking questions in an effort to pinpoint where the other class is located. Students leave the game with connections to another place and a better understanding of the people that live there. They also have fun asking good questions to uncover important information. Microsoft's Skype in the Classroom website for educators (education.skype.com) offers tools to connect teachers around the globe, including for a Mystery Skype discussion.
—Tara Laskowski
