Amy Bonner

in the Classroom

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

What is Skype?

Can conference with several people…

… or one person at a time

Skype’s Chat Feature

Founded in 2003 by Janus Friis in Denmark Acquired by Microsoft

◦ May 10, 2011 Name derived from “sky” and “peer”

Skype History

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

Skype in the Classroom

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.

Holding Class via Skype

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

Virtual Fieldtrips

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.

Guest/Author Lecturer

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.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

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

Classroom Pen-Pals

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.

Thoughts

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!!!

Activity