I came across an interesting and useful article which discusses the use of skype in the classroom. The article is called "50 Awesome ways to Use Skype in the Classroom"
What is Skype?
Skype is a software application that allows users to make video calls anywhere in the world for free with other Skype users.
How would I integrate Skype into my own teaching?
Skype can be integrated into the classroom in many ways. Some ways that I would integrate Skype into the classroom include the following:
- Field Trips - Field trips can be extremely useful as a learning and teaching experience. However, fielf trips require a lot of planning, time, effort and resources. With Skype, you can use skype to take the field trip into the classroom. An example of this would include a skype tour of a facility which your class would have taken a tour of.
- Guest lecturers - Guest lecturers can be hard to find, but bringing them into the classroom via Skype would allow students to get the same experience of an in person guest lecturer, only via Skype. This would save time for the guest lecturer, but would provide the same quality experience for students.
- Forign culture lessons - My class could connect with, interact with and share ideas with similar classes from across the globe. This would be an invaluable learning experience for students and instructors alike.
- Office Hours - Instructors have office hours, but students no longer have to physically show up if they have a question. Many instructors are in their offices during office hours, but simply keep skype open, giving students another option to connect with instructors to seek extra help
Advantages:
- Free
- User friendly
- Connects classrooms to the globe
- Requires a computer
- Requires a manual download of software
- Requires a microphone, or a microphone and web cam
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/
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