Skype

===Skype is a great way to communicate by face and by sending instant messages. You can download Skype on your computer or smart phone. It is a fast and easy way to communicate with other people either down the street or even around the world! Skype is a universal way of video chatting over the internet that is easy and effective. It was founded in 2003 and has become very popular ever since.===

===It is most commonly used for communicating in business calls or for parents to college students that went away. But it can also be used for teaching and in the classroom. One of the best examples is what it was used for in one of my last semester classes. Our professor was teaching a lecture in an education course about the roles of principals and the interview process. First, he asked for us to write down any questions we had, then he used Skype and put it up on the big screen and called in over Skype, a principal in a school in Ohio. We were able to ask a real principal any questions we had about the topic and it was a different and exciting way to learn about a topic. Other examples of how Skype could be used is if a program was set up internationally, and students were able to instant message or video chat using the Skype program and learn about different cultures and places. It would be a great way to learn concretely and through great experiences.===

===Just like it was said below, Skype is also a great way for teachers all over to communicate and share ideas. By using this program, teachers and even faculty can hold conferences and meetings. They can even share ideas like lesson plans, grading and teaching tips, and information about new technologies. It is a easy and fast way that teachers can do sitting by their computers or on the go on their cell phones. With just a click of a button information can be sent all over to whoever, wherever they are! It is a great resource and can be used for an unlimited amount of reasons for teachers and their students!===

Added by: Allison Forster, EDP 279
Before the invention of the internet and other advances in technology occurred, I think people would never have believed anything about these advances if someone approached them and told them it was going to happen. People a hundred years ago probably never dreamed there would be such quick ways of communication as email, texting, and "Skyp-ing". How many people were far away from their families and wanting to see them or talk to them more quickly than sending a letter? Things that may have once seemed impossible are now possible.

Skype is a good example of this. It is a way of voice /video communication over the internet. It was founded in 2003 by Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom. The number of total users has grown from 74.7 million in 2005 to 560 million in 2009. []

Skype is a free service to anyone with access to the internet, software, and email account. The following is the web address for Skype: [|http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-computer/windows/]It also shows that for an extra fee, there are additional features a person can get through Skype. The free version automatically gives you Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls. This has to be downloaded to the computer in order for Skype to work. When you have a Skype account, it connects you to your Facebook friends who also have Skype. It also allows you to find anyone else with a Skype account.

Skype could be useful in school in many ways. It is a way to use first-hand resources in a project. For example, if the class is doing a project on an environmental issue, they could call an expert they are in contact with and ask questions. It is also a great way to connect with people from other countries. So many times, teachers find themselves reading books about other cultures and it is difficult to know whether these books are authentic unless the teacher is from, or familiar with, that particular culture. With Skype, a class can connect with other people, or even students across the globe, and they can learn about each others’ cultures from a first -hand source. Another way it could be used in school is through language classes. It would be a great way to practice speaking another language and students could get feedback from someone who speaks the language daily as their first language.

It can also be used as a way for teachers to connect to parents. If parents are having a difficult time finding time to come in for a conference or have a quick question they can instant message the teacher or set up a Skype conference call. With everyone having their own busy schedules, this type of technology allows for flexibility and the ability to still communicate. Group projects are also assigned frequently and it can be hard for everyone to find rides or time to meet. Skype can be used so the students can do a video chat with each other and talk about the assignment without the hassle of actually having to find a meeting place and means of getting there. It is important for teachers and students to all find ways to use this instant messaging and Skype as a means of communicating if it can make the students more successful and everything flow more smoothly.

Added information by Amber Bower

Added by Teri Chase
 * Not only is Skype a great way to connect with people around the world, but it gives teachers an outlet to interact locally. Teachers from different school districts can get onto Skype and discuss lesson plans that have worked for them or have not worked or ideas for integrating parts of their curriculum into their lesson plans. Teachers could also use this as a tool for observing another teacher. When one teacher is addressing the class, the other can be watching and learning things that work that particular teacher. T **** eachers could also share their resources this way. **
 * Skype is also beneficial to the students. A teacher could arrange "tutoring" times in the evening for students who may be having difficulties with their homework. It would also allow for a teacher to contact a student if the student was out sick for an extended period of time, reducing their "make-up" work. Learning how to effectively communicate our lessons to students is key. What better way then by having the world assist you, if necessary? **

=
It is also a great way for collaboration to work successfully. Teachers and other professionals in the schools that work with the students could Skype to have a conference. A lot of times it is hard to schedule time to meet face to face in a certain location due to very busy schedules but Skype can be an amazing tool to help make conferences happen. They could use it to talk about how a student is performing or how they can collaborate if they are team teaching. Also during IEP meetings it is difficult to get all the members of the team to meet together in one room at the same time. This would allow for a group conference to commence even if one person cannot be at the meeting in person but maybe can be Skyped in so that they could be a part of the process. A lot of times the student does not want to attend since they are so long but maybe has a few points that they would like to bring up to the rest of the team. This would allow for a lot of flexibility for all parties to take part in the collaboration. Skype is a great new technological innovation that could really be implemented in the educational setting.=====

Added by Jamie Clendenen
Added by Callie Fazekas Everyone has made it very clear how useful a tool Skype can be. When Skype first came out, I do not think people realized the amazing opportunities it was able to provide. When I first heard about this networking tool, I thought very narrowly and imagined it would be a way to communicate with my family using video. However, I did not think beyond this. I never imagined that it would be a tool used in a number of aspects of life- classrooms, professional meetings, interviews. It has become an extremely popular social networking outlet used all over the world. I have only used it to communicate with friends and family, but I have no doubt that I will be using it for more in the future. For example, I am completing my student teaching abroad. Therefore, any interaction with teachers and supervisors in America will have to be conducted via Skype. I will be unable to attend class sessions, and my professors informed me that I will use Skype as a way of communicating and "attending" these classes. It is just fascinating that even though I may not physically be with the class in America, I will be there to hear the same information and participate in any activities that are conducted. This same thing applies to job interviews. For students who may be seeking jobs in far away states, interviews may be conducted via Skype. This makes the entire process more personal than a phone call or email exchange would. It opens the doors and paves the way towards a new future in communication!

In addition to this expansion of Skype and the many ways in which doors of communication are opened,is the fact that Skype is also connected to other media networks. For instance, Skype has it's own Twitter. Various things featured on Skype's twitter are inspirational quotes, information about Skype, or new features of Skype that are available. Skype also has a Facebook page. There are a number of different stories and updates on Skype's Facebook site. It is amazing how all of these networking tools can offer very different "services," yet they are all interconnected in several ways. There could be semester classes dedicated to the study of Skype, Facebook, and/or Twitter alone! This social media world is emerging in unbelievable ways. I can only imagine what more will be brought to the table in the next few years!