12/7/11
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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I agree that many of the forms of communication we use today lack a personable presents. Skype I feel does provide us with an opportunity to communicate in a way which is more personable. And yes, it is great for bringing the world into the classroom. In the attached link a Spanish teacher brings a classroom from another community into her classroom. Students were able to speak Spanish and learn about the students they were speaking with.
http://www.youtube.com/v/uvZdhahgUKE&autoplay=1&fs=1&autoplay=1.
Ramirez, I. (2008). Skyping in the Spanish Classroom. Retrieved on October 21, 2011 from http://www.youtube.com/v/uvZdhahgUKE&autoplay=1&fs=1&autoplay=1.
Skype is a great communicator for educators. Our campus is slowly moving to using Skype since our Region office also is using it. Skype has several uses in the classroom such as (Unk, 2011):
•videoconferencing with other classes, lecturer, foreign language
•allows virtual field trips
•inclusion for an absent classmate
I enjoy skype in my classroom and am eager to find more ways for my students to get more in engaged through skype!
References:
Unknown, (2011). 50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom. Retrieved from:
http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/
Yes, I agree that Skype is a great tool to use in the classroom. It grabs the students attention and interest.Skype can include students who maybe out ill or special needs students who may not be able to come to sit physically in the classroom.
It also connects student with author of book they may read inside of the classroom. They are able to ask question and physically see the person they are talking to. It peeks the students interest to read the book and discuss it with others.
Here are some other ideas for using Skype.
"11.Inclusion — helping a classmate join the classroom from home. This blog post explains how a 4th grade class used Skype to help a classmate with leukemia become a part of the classroom from her home.
12.Connect special needs students. Students who may have to be out of the classroom due to special needs or IEP requirements don’t have to miss any special events in the classroom with Skype.
13.Blue tongue lizard, vegemite and cricket. What the…????. This Australian teacher describes her class’ experience connecting with a Korean class via Skype.
14.Foreign culture lessons. Skype allows students to see first hand what people’s homes, schools, clothing, weather, and more looks like. If a festival takes place, Skype can bring it to your classroom too.
15.Connect with families from around the world. Form friendships that can easily bridge distance gaps with Skype.
16.Skype Calls for e-Twinning in L2. Find out how this teacher brought two classes together that had been Twittering all semester when they finally got to meet "face-to-face" with Skype.
17.Best Day Ever!. This teacher describes three Skype calls her class had in one day–the most exciting being with a class in a different time zone with whom her students had been collaborating on a project through Google docs. With Skype, the students got to work at the same time and actually see each other, too.
18.Present a performance. Whether your class puts on a play, demonstrates a science experiment, or presents the results of a class project, share the fruits of their works with other classes, parents, or other interested people.
19.Share field trips with others. If your class goes out for a field trip, see about connecting with parents or other classes to share your classes’ experience.
20.‘Slumdog Millionaire’ inspiration uses Skype to help kids in India learn. Find out how Skype is connecting grannies in the UK with children in India for both a cultural connection and an educational benefit.
nces:
50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom. http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/
L.Piccolo, 2010. Skype Across the World in your Classroom! Bright Hubs
Post a Comment