What the heck is it?: "Skype" is a software that allows user to make voice and video calls to anywhere in the world! "Skype" also allows file sharing and instant messaging with any other users!
Ok, what can I do with it?: With "Skype", you can have guest speakers speak to your class from anywhere in the world! Say your class is learning about World War II and you, the teacher, know someone who could contribute to the learning by being a guest speaker, but that person currently lives in Bora Bora or some other far away land. With "Skype" you can make a video phone call to that person across the ocean and interview them in real time! Don't have a camera? No problem! You can do voice calls as well. Don't have a mike? That's cool! You can instant message them! Got three people you need to talk to on "Skype" at the same time? No problem. You can do conference calls!
What are the pros and cons of this tool?: The upside is that one can make a phone call to the other side of the world instantly for a whole lot cheaper than from a landline, and one can even use a camera and see the other person too! Don't have the money to have that holocaust survivor fly all the way from California to speak to your class? That's ok! Just use "Skype" and make a phone call over the Internet! The downside is that one must have access to a camera and a mike to do video and voice calls. Also, some aspects of the service do cost some money, and if you aren't going to use it very often those aspects may not be worth the price. Finally, "Skype" as a company is not geared towards education, but that doesn't mean it's not a useful tool!
Who is the audience for "Skype"?: Anyone! From 1st grade to Doctoral candidate, anyone can use "Skype" and any student could benefit from a "Skype" interview with a guest speaker.
You got me hooked. Where can I learn more?: Skype product info and Wikipedia's take on it
What is your opinion on this took?: Thank you for asking! I think it's awesome! It made me think about Erin Gruwell, the teacher who inspired the Freedom Writers. She flew Miep Gies, the woman who housed Anne Frank during WWII, all the way to Los Angeles to speak to her class. While that was really cool that she did that, it would have been far more economical to call Miep Gies on "Skype" (had it existed then.) Think about all the people you wish could come and speak to your class but you just can't get them there for budget reasons or time reasons. Skype may make that handy lesson enhancer (the guest speaker I mean) a reality!
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