Skyping+in+the+Classroom_ECHike

Skyping in the Classroom

Skype, an open source software program, allows anyone to talk to anyone else in the world over the Internet for free. The software program is easy to install and can be easily downloaded. Skype is a free and easy way for teachers to open up their classroom and their students to a world beyond their campus. With Skype, students can learn from other students, connect with other cultures, and expand their knowledge in amazing ways.

Skype's ease-of-use capability makes it a beneficial tool in helping students connect with others outside of the classroom walls. The greatest benefit for classroom use is that teachers can quickly and easily invite guests from all over the world to speak to their students on any given topic.

Using Skype is an exciting opportunity for students. For the student that has to miss school due to an illness or the one that is going on a family vacation, Skype can be very beneficial. The student at home will be able to connect with the classroom and not miss instruction due to illness. The student that is on vacation also benefits from not missing instruction, but they can also share their trip with their classmates. Skype no longer has to be on a laptop/computer. iPhones can download Skype but the ease of Skype allowing you to call landline phones allows for instant communication. Skype is also a terrific tool for collaboration among teachers and students. Group chats allow users to connect to a wider network without the need for travel. Teachers all over the world are using Skype to make learning more exciting and memorable. It's easy to see why: Skype offers an immediate way to help students discover new cultures, languages and ideas, all without leaving the classroom.

Some benefits of using Skype in the classroom are the social interaction allows the learner to reflect and reconsider, get help and support, and participate in authentic problem solving. Learners benefit from improving learning strategies. Through the use of Skype, they are taught greater perseverance, and are independent of the help from the instructor. Using Skype in the online classroom improves social interaction and helps to create an authentic peer review environment.

A disadvantage of using Skype in the classroom is that learners cannot effectively interact unless they are able to easily use the media they are asked to use. The instructor must choose user-friendly tools and software to make a positive learning experience for the students. Another disadvantage would be that schools that use dial-up Internet access often complain about the download speed of video when using the Skype video chat and issues with a delay. Another disadvantage is that sometimes the sound is garbled so it is difficult to understand what the other person is saying.

So plan now to find that classroom, author, zoologist, etc… that can help open the world to your students today.

Extra information about Skype can be found at:

[] [] [] ‍http://education.skype.com/terms ‍

I had never thought of those many advantages to Skype for the classroom and working with kids who are homebound or sick. I would be great for extra help sessions at the high school level for a class like Calculus that you sometimes need steps to walk you though it!.- Liz