Skype and Beyond!

Cell phones? Sure. Email? Sure. Fax machine? Sure. Written letter? Sure. Of course these could be used in an educational setting. But there are some drawbacks. One disadvantage that some of these options don't provide immediate feedback. There is a delay in information sent and received. Another disadvantage is that there is not always away to see facial expressions in these forms of communication. What would be the best is a way that you can speak to someone, just like if they were sitting right in front of you, even when they aren't. Well, I have found the answer. The answer is Skype! www.skype.com Skype is a great tool that can be used in the classroom. People can create an account and instant message with other people with an account. They can video chat with anyone around the world with a Skype account. All they have to do is share their username with the other people and then the communication can begin. There are so many ways to use it in the classroom! The students love when the little orange S at the bottom of the screen starts flashing! They know that someone has messaged our class. Many of our district directors are set up with a Skype account. I have had the science direction debrief a current unit of study with the students. They can ask questions about the curriculum and can make sure that they are using critical thinking skills. They are It is a great way to capture their attention and yet still have it be educational. I have also used it to communicate with my students while they are at home, in order to help them with their homework. I have also used it as a way to have guest speakers come int o my classroom, without actually having them come into. Here is some more information about Skype and how others have used it! http://www.howcast.com/videos/359908-How-To-Use-Skype http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4CVbIInVWo Skype. (2011). Introducing Skype in the Classroom. [Web based video] Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4CVbIInVWo Trebach, W. (2010). How to Use Skype. [Web based video] Retrieved from http://www.howcast.com/videos/359908-How-To-Use-Skype.