Let’s Skype!

What is Skype?  Skype is a free service  Enables voice, video, or text chat  Done via computer  Can connect 2 or more people, (but only 2 with video currently)  Can call cell or land line phone lines, but there is a charge

What is Needed?  A computer with Windows 2000, XP, or Vista or a Mac  Internet connection  Free Skype software download  Microphone and speakers for voice chat  Camera, such as a simple web cam for video chat

Download Skype  Go to the Skype website at:  Click their “Download” link  Follow the directions to download the program and install the program

Skype in School?  Bring easy distance learning into your classroom including: Have your students talk to students from another school, state, or country Have your students talk to people from a different culture Have your students talk to an expert Have your students conduct an experiment or project with students in other locations

Skype in School?  Talk to an author.  Talk to an artist or musicial.  Teach choreography.  Keep in touch with students who are out.  Students can attend class via Skype.  Communicate with volunteers.

Skype in School?  Communicate with fellow employees regardless of location  Hold meetings without having to meet in person  Talk to the office in an emergency if you do not have a phone in your room or it is not working  Get interactive tech support from the tech team, (screen sharing option)

Skype in School?  Pamela – can record sessions  Have consequences for students going off topic or being inappropriate

Sites to Find Collaborators  An online search will produce many results.  Consider time zone and language differences when choosing.

Sites to Find Collaborators  Classroom 2.0   ”Long distance collaborations” and “e- learning and online teaching” groups are already established  Join the groups and watch for the updates  New or established forums often appeal for connections for global projects and videoconferencing

Sites to Find Collaborators  Projects by Jen Wagner   Main focus on primary aged groups

Sites to Find Collaborators  Global Education   Started by Lucy Barrow  Actively seek partners for global projects

Sites to Find Collaborators  Julie Lindsay   “Fostering new ways of learning using Web 2.0 and global collaborative 'flat classroom' ideals and practices”

Sites to Find Collaborators   “Linking Teachers Together” 

Sites to Find Collaborators  Sue Waters  to-connect-with-other-classrooms/ to-connect-with-other-classrooms/  “This page has been set up to help you make connections with classes in other countries who are interesting in having Skype conversations with other classes.”

Sites to Find Collaborators   “Schools collaborating to engage student learners”  “Skoolaborate is a global initiative and uses a blend of technologies including, blogs, online learning, wiki's and ‘virtual worlds’ to transform learning. We aim to use these tools to provide engaging collaborative learning experiences for students aged between 13 and 18 years of age.”

Citations  Eric, Curts. "Using Skype." northcanton.sparcc.org. North Canton City Schools. 13 Apr  Steve, O'Keefe. "Skype Tutorials for Teachers, Authors, and Librarians." Annick Live Library On-line Classroom. 07 Aug Annick Press. 13 Apr 2009.