in the Classroom

1. in the Classroom Amy Bonner

2. What is Skype? • Voice Over-IP service and instant messenger • Service allows you to make calls to other computers for free or low cost to direct phone lines • Use of a Webcam allows you to see who you are talking to • Features • Allows you to store frequently used numbers • Conference calls • Instant message using text feature • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiVPbuT_buY

3. Can conference with several people… … or one person at a time

4. Skype’s Chat Feature

5. Skype History • Founded in 2003 by Janus Friis in Denmark • Acquired by Microsoft • May 10, 2011 • Name derived from “sky” and “peer”

6. Skype in the Classroom • Use Skype to connect with people when you cannot meet in person due to scheduling conflicts, distance, time, weather etc. • Way of holding class when you cannot meet in person • Virtual Fieldtrips • Guest/author lectures • Parent-Teacher conferences • Classroom Pen Pals

7. Holding Class via Skype • A teacher can give a lesson on Skype if they cannot hold a class. • Inclement weather • Out of town • Class can log on to Skype to see the teacher as if they were present in the classroom giving the lesson.

8. Virtual Fieldtrips • Many places that students would take a field trip to are now teleconferencing to students through Skype. • Zoos, museums, historical landmarks, state parks have people in charge to teleconference to students so they can get a virtual tour without leaving their classroom. • Benefits: cost effective, students can “tour” places that are not close to their location, go to many more places • http://www.bostonteapartyship.com/virtual-tours • http://www.spacecentre.ca/virtual-fieldtrip • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4zbgsgRPdM

9. Guest/Author Lecturer • Classrooms can use Skype to have a video conference with a guest lecturer or author whose topic or book they have been reading. • Gives students the opportunity to ask questions to people whose work they have been studying. • The guest lecturers/authors are more likely to connect with the classrooms when it is as easy and quick as Skype is.

10. Parent-Teacher Conferences • Parents can be too busy with work, other children, family life, etc to attend the designated time they have Parent-Teacher Conferences. • Skype can be used when these conferences cannot be held in person, but is more personal than a phone call or an e-mail.

11. Classroom Pen-Pals • Classrooms can interact with students in other parts of the world by using Skype. • Programs available that classrooms can join to get teamed up with classrooms in different parts of the world that want to have a classroom pen-pal • Enables students to learn more about other people’s cultures and make friends all over the globe. • Chinese class skypes with kids from China • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o328ziCCm6Q • USA class skypes with kids from Croatia • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSVrQf4WxqE

12. Thoughts • I think Skype is very versatile and easy to use for classrooms with students of any age. • More personal than a phone call or email • Being used more and more in all areas of personal, educational and professional use.

13. Activity • As we learned, Skype can connect people all over the globe by the touch of a button. Q: If you could choose one living person in the entire world to Skype with who would it be? What questions would you ask them? Share with the class!!!