Skype

Introduction: What is Skype? First introduced in 2003 as an online calling program, Skype has evolved into much more than a means of communication via the internet. Talk about a Web 2.0 tool, this free program allows people to connect, communicate, and collaborate across the globe. With access from your computer, cell phone, and television, Skype allows people to message, speak to, and see others instantly. With the newest upgrade of the program, the capabilities have expanded to group video chats; not only can two members of group collaborate at a time, but multiple people in different geographic locations - of course, this fun extra comes with a price.

The programming behind this resource is incredible intuitive. After downloading Skype, creating your personal username, and password, your contact list pops up, allowing you to begin connecting!

Skype in the Classroom media type="custom" key="20399494" width="150" height="150" Video from []



For teachers, there’s a website made specifically for educators looking to connect to experts, classrooms, and other teachers around the world. Through this tool, you can have a guest speaker literally at the click of your mouse. As shown in the above video, students can prepare questions, ask them, and interact just as if the guest was in the classroom.

The Skype search tool makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for (and provides great help for when you can't find it!). For example, I could say that I’m a teacher looking for an expert in Math, specifically for ages 15-18. Hitting search immediately connects me to experts who are willing to share their experiences in math. My personal favorite was a teacher's project that was collecting professionals who used math in their job everyday. Through this tool, you can create your own projects, share them, and search others’. Educators can also share and search resources.

One of the current projects that was deemed innovative by the Skype team is about the Summer Olympics in London. Here you can see educators can connect their classroom and discuss the monumental occasion with other classrooms who are also interested in the Summer Olympics anywhere in the world! I highly suggest you check out the other projects that were voted most innovative!


 * My district has my classroom blocked from Skype, now what? ** Anytime you download a program, this issue may come up. First, I would suggest talking to your tech department. After explaining why Skype is an essential tool for your classroom, they may consider taking down the block. There are alternatives, but I have yet to find one that provides a tool that connects educators as well as Skype. If that doesn’t work, here are some other alternatives:
 * [|VoxOx] – check out this review
 * YouTube – while the interaction is lost, there is still a possibility to find a video diary from someone living in a different culture, providing similar information
 * Google + - this commercial for the new social media network from Google allows people to connect via video chats, but does not provide the ease for educators

Access this resource here. Page created by: Sarah Reeves