Skype





Brief Introduction to Skype:
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 * Skype is a tool for communication around the world.
 * Skype is a way to connect with long lost friends, workers, and relatives.
 * Skype is a video-conferencing and text communication tool.
 * Skype is a way to chat through audio, text, and/or video.
 * Skype is a way to chat “face-to-face” with other people on a one-to-one basis.
 * Skype offers free Skype to Skype calls with free call transfer to people on Skype.
 * Skype is free to download and install.
 * Skype calls to cell phones and landlines for 2 cents a minute or a discounted rate depending on a monthly subscription.
 * Skype allows users to leave voicemails. ($6 for 3 months)
 * Skype requires a broadband internet connection.
 * Skype cannot be used for emergency calling.
 * Skype is not a replacement for the traditional telephone service.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Skype does not require a camera on both computers; video calling can work one way.

Tutorials
Let's start your Skype! This is a screen-shot of some guidelines to [|get you started]. Or this may also help! [|Start Here!] Are you stuck? Here is [|How to make a call to a contact]. For some more helpful hints visit the [|Help Tutorials]. Can't get the video to work? [|How to enable video chat.] Need help adding contacts? Here is how! Having trouble with the audio settings? [|This may help!]

This is an example of what your Skype could look like.

Advantages:
1. Easy to install on computer. 2. Has a large community: many people(collegues, family, friends) have an account and use Skype. 3. Conference calling can allow many to many synchronous communication for global/national/local communication. 4. Opportunity to conference call or instant message many to many; video call, call, or instant message one to one 5. Can provide teaching opportunity outside of classroom. 6. Allows conferencing and speakers to enter classroom without travel.
 * After school help
 * Connect to special needs students

Limits:
1. End to end service quality: requires all parties to have high quality internet. 2. Need internet to access Skype 3. Video calling only provided for a one on one chat. 4. Delay in video or sound transmittion in internet is lagging. 5. Skype is not free: Some applications cost money and areas must still pay for the off-net traffic that Skype produces. 6. Must be synchronous communication

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">**Skype and the Classroom** __[|Skype] is a great communication tool to use with the classroom__. Using Skype you can start by downloading the program, and it is so user friendly. This is a great way not only to but to communicate across the world. Here is a link found on Skype about classmate that had to move to [|Kenya]. The students were able to still communicate with them and ask him about his country. One way to use this in education is first by having a conference call with other teachers. You can chat "face-to-face" with other teachers to get tips on activities to boost motivation on a specific lesson. Teachers can also set up a one to one chat with students and parents. If you are away on business and need to have a parent teacher conference this is one great way to do so. Most parents will not have an opening during your office hours so you can make it convenient for them. For elementary education can create pen pals that you actually see and communicate synonymously. This would provide the students with something exciting to look forward to in class after reading time. If you are in secondary education you can have a guest speaker enter the classroom through Skype. Your speaker won't have to travel to physically speak at your school which saves time and energy. Mathematics is the subject I am looking forward to teaching and you can find another classroom that is studying the same section and set up a study time so each student can get a different perspective or learn short cuts to solve the problem. Another look at this for geography or social studies teachers, you can set up an interview with someone from that country. Where your students have questions that they have outlined to ask this person. It can be a one to many or a many to many communication tool. Your students can be interviewed by other countries as well. Here is a link to help with [|Global Education Collaboration.]

I have found this great link for foreign languages on Skype. Its is called [|Langwitches] and they communicate with other students using video conferencing through Skype. Scroll down to the section labeled K12 Online conference presentations.

There is also a quick video to watch using the K12 Conference Presentations on [|YouTube]. I hope you enjoy Skype and find new ways to communicate with the world and your classroom. The possibilities are endless.