Skype


 * __Description __**

Skype is an internet based video chat tool. Users use a built-in or purchased web camera and microphone to communicate with people online.


 * __History __**

Based in Luxembourg, Skype came from the technology of peer-to-peer file sharing programs. Websites like Kazaa led the way with file and video sharing. Skype creators used the idea or peer-to-peer sharing and applied it to voice transmission instead. Because they marketed their website as free video calling, their services became wildly popular. The service is free, but they charge members who wish to use the service to call traditional phone numbers, not members who are logged-on to the website. Skype was purchased by Microsoft earlier this year for $ 8.5 Billion


 * __Impact on Teaching and Learning __**

Since Skype is designed for video chatting, it enables teachers and classrooms to connect with virtually anyone anywhere. With wireless internet, laptop computers, tablets, and Skype enabled Smart phones, it also allows for extreme mobility. Learners can be taken on real-time tours of places they may otherwise not be able to travel to due to distance or budget cuts. It allows the learner to talk to and interview experts in the field of a subject they are studying.

Skype has launched a section dedicated specifically to education at []  allowing collaboration for teachers and students around the world. Teachers can post requests for interviews, or collaboration with other classrooms on projects.


 * __Practical Applications and Examples __**

 **I have used Skype in my second grade classroom in several ways:**

-I have held a Skype conference with a parent who was unable to attend a traditional parent-teacher conference to discuss their child’s progress.

- I have Skyped teaching important lessons to a home-bound child who was too ill to come to school for several months. The child benefitted from hearing direct instruction as well as being able to interact with their classmates and feel connected to our classroom family.

- I have used Skype in detention scenarios where a child is removed from the classroom but given a laptop to view on Skype the lessons that he/she is missing.

- I have also been observed teaching by district instructional specialists via Skype for annual teacher reviews.

-We have interviewed professionals via Skype in the classroom for Career Day, to learn about a species of animal we spoke to a Zoologist, and we also got to “meet” our pen pal classroom friends via Skype who lived in Detroit.


 * <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">Some practical uses from teachers at education.skype.com include: **

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">-Global lunch chat

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">-September 11th video conference with survivor guest speakers

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">-Book Buddy chat book club

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">-Practicing conversational English with students in Japan

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">-Weather observation buddies


 * __<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">Resources: __**

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">Aamoth, D. (2011, May). //A Brief History of Skype//. Retrieved September 3, 2011, from <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">[] <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">. New York: Time Techland.

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">Skype Education (n.d.) //About Skype in the classroom//. Retrieved September 3, 2011, from <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">[] <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">. Skype Limited.


 * __<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">External Links: __**

<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16px;">[|www.education.skype.com]