skype

=Skype=

Record Skype Conversations
http://skypetips.internetvisitation.org/articles/record_skype_calls.html Vod Burner - http://www.vodburner.com/ Wetoku - http://wetoku.com/

Find teachers to Skype with http://skypeinschools.pbworks.com

= = ===I am pushing to have Skype unblocked and available for Allentown educators. I need some input and feedback on the issue. Please answer the question below and let me know what grade level or subject area/age you teach. This will greatly help! ===

How would you use Skype in your classroom? (please include your grade level/subject taught)
Skype-- teachers could use it to conference with colleagues right in our own district. Perhaps teachers could have access to Skype before students so they can learn the program and learn how to troubleshoot. Teachers could conference or meet others teachers any time of the day. With Skype, teachers can conference with teachers in other countries – perhaps set up International pen pals. BTW – epals is now free.

Now students- they could listen to an expert on how to – play an instrument, listen to someone talk in a different language. If the teachers have access to Skype, they could set up the computer and webcam for the class. Spanish teachers – could Skype with someone who speaks Spanish to have a conversation with the class, same with German class. etc. Isn’t that on a list somewhere in our teaching materials? Contact and invite an expert on the subject? Community involvement?

I would really try to sell Skype for the teachers. It is another teaching tool for teachers to integrate in the classroom. It wouldn’t cost anything…all teachers need is the webcam.


 * Technology Teacher, Elementary K-5**

I personally have never used Skype however, from what I learned at the conference it would be great to use. It could be used to house meetings and improve communications professionally. I believe it’s the kind of thing where we would sign on and be able to communicate instantly with one another. I went to their site and found this under business: ** Work smarter, get more done, talk more to your clients, cut your phone bill. Free calls, video and instant messaging It would be awesome to correspond verbally or in ‘real time’ with classes overseas. I’m currently working on developing a ‘partnership’ with a classroom in England. How cool would it be for the classrooms to connect via Skype!
 * We're good for business.

One thing I do wonder about is the ability for video conferencing. Our machines do not have microphones or webcams. Perhaps that is something to think about in the future. It would be hard to ‘call’ someone if you don’t’ have a microphone to talk into. **First grade classroom teacher**

As teachers we would be able to have conferences with parents that are homebound and cannot make it in to have a face-to-face with their child's teacher. We could have conference calls with others at a different school - for example, setting up a meeting with other Kindergarten teachers or with the Literacy or Math Coaches. The obvious use would be to have a homebound child still be part of the class through Skype. The district would need to upgrade our computers so that they are reliable to use when conferences have been set up. The webcams & microphones would also be needed. (Do the microphones come with the webcam?)
 * Kindergarten teacher**

We woud use Skype for all the obvious reasons listed above....as well as 1. when studying a culture or country, being able meet a classroom from that country 2. parent involve-parent teacher conferences, mishehavior (we sometimes ask a parent to come in and observe--they could now do that with this program). 3. Accountability--our pirncipal can observe, learning walks can see what we do daily without interupting the flow of the classroom. 4. connect to the business world--talk to someone on Wallstreet, a pilot 5. being able to confir with military overseas--talk to mom or dad in the army with the technology some students don't have at home. 6. professional development--being able to connect with other teachers outside our school district, our state, and even our country. Being able to observe a fellow teachers lesson to learn a technique or teaching strategy.
 * (Elementary level, 1-5)**

I did attend a seminar at PETE&C in which Skype was used in a 4th grade classroom. Students from 2 different schools across the state used skype to show flashcards to each other and test each other math skills. We watched a short video of them doing it, but I don't remember the presenters. Another significant use for teachers would be to collaborate with another teacher without having to meet with them - whether it be in the same school or another district. It also could be used for parent/teacher conferences. I'll let you know as I think of more ideas. I'm sure the list could be limitless. **High School CFF Coach**

Skype is a great way to get people into the classroom. One example is a expert or author in the field that could "visit" the classroom via skype. Here is an example [|http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/04/11/podcast244-stories-of-life-on-the-high-seas-by-jonathan-gayton-in-perth-australia-to-oklahoma-over-skype/]. It isn't the best example because Wes Fryer and his children are talking to Jonathan Gayton. I have heard of some teachers having an over night event with their students so they can meet up with a person or class from half a world away.

I asked some of my writing project friends how they used skype in the classroom. Kevin Hodson, in western Massachusetts, wrote and said "When my classes were working on the Many Voices for Darfur project, we skyped in with other students in Maryland who were also working on the project. The students were amazed at how they could connect (we used the video conferencing) with others and talk about the global initiative. The sites: [|http://manyvoicesdarfur.blogspot.com/] and [|http://stopgenocide.wikispaces.com/] "

On a more local level, if a student is homebound for whatever reason, skype is a way for them to "attend" class virtually. This video has been widely circulated around the Internet, but it brings the point home. http://learningismessy.com/Inclusion.mov

I hope that gives you some information that you are seeking. It is a great way to bring in someone for professional development for the whole faculty or for a PLC. How teachers might use it is a whole different conversation. Keep me posted. If you open it up, I will try it with my classes.
 * High School Teacher**