Bria Koch

Skype as a Classroom Best Practice

 

Skype is a free program that allows users to chat via instant messaging or webcam. Conference calls can also be

made among multiple users. Uses for Skype in the classroom include connecting with other classes around the

region, country, or world, interacting with absent students, or connecting with parents who may be unable to attend

school functions. These uses are some of the most practical, but this site includes many other uses for Skype in the

classroom.

 

In terms of connecting with other classes, Skype can allow teachers to call one another and allow their classes to speak with others locally, regionally, nationally, or even internationally. Skype provides a program entitled, “Skype in the Classroom,” which allows educators to register and connect with other teachers around the world. When an educator registers, he needs to enter his Skype username. Then he is able to enter information to classify by grade level, location, and school to enable other users to more easily become connected. A teacher could initially connect with another teacher to begin a pen pal program. Students could write letters to begin a unit, but then they could “meet” their pen pals via Skype. Teachers also have the ability to post their own web-based lessons to “Skype in the Classroom.” Students and teachers around the world can tune-in to the lessons to learn more about a specific topic or to connect with a classroom.

 

Teachers can also connect with guest speakers to speak with their students on the material that they are studying. When studying a specific topic or unit, Skype can enable teachers to speak with professionals in that particular field to enhance lessons. Teachers can also use Skype to take virtual tours or “field trips” of countless places including museums, zoos, and sites around the world.

 

As seen in this video, classrooms in California and New Zealand were able to connect (despite a time difference) to share some of their everyday classroom experiences with one another. The kids in the video make it clear how excited they are to be able to connect with other students so far away. Even though they are in different countries, the children were able to see how similar they were with the other classroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to using Skype to connect to other classrooms and students, Skype can also be used to connect to an absent student. If a student hasbeen out of the classroom for a long time due to an extended illness, a teacher could use Skype to communicate more directly with the student. Most teachers will often send home a packet of work that has been covered while a student has been chronically absent. Though this is helpful, a student could be confused about a topic that has been covered. Skype can enable the teacher to talk through material and connect with the student to see how he is doing.

 

Skype can also enable teachers to connect with parents who may be unable to attend school functions. Some parents who are extremely busy, may be unable (or even unwilling) to attend functions like open house or parent/teacher conferences. Skype can allow a teacher to have a short video chat with parents concerning their child's academic performance.

 

References:

Skype in the Classroom. (2014). Retrieved June 15, 2014, from Skype: https://education.skype.com/

Terry, J. (2009, June 30). 50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from Teaching Degree: http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/