Have Your Class See the World, With Skype
Greg Fay
MEDA 5400
October 17, 2010
Through out human history, people have been inventing technologies to communicate with one another. Every generation has had a major form of communication in their lives; from the pen and paper, to the telegraph, to the telephone. Today, most people can barely function without their cell phones, but a little more than ten years ago, cell phone were just for cars and emergencies. Some of the newest communication technologies are available through the Internet. Video calling programs are one of the latest and greatest ways of communicating with one another. The ability to actually see the person you are talking to, which may be thousands of miles away, is simply amazing to see in action. One such video calling program is called Skype.
Emerging Technology
Skype is a computer program that allows users to make free video and voice calls. The program was founded in 2003 and is based in Luxembourg (Skype Website, 2009). In 2005 it was acquired by eBay Inc. The service uses peer-to-peer networks to connect users together for free. Skype’s name is comes from the phase “Sky peer-to-peer”, or “Skyper”. However, the domain name was already taken so the r was dropped and shortened to Skype (Skype, 2005). Since its start in the early 2000s, Skype has risen greatly in popularity. As of 2008, Skype had been downloaded over a billion times, making it one of the most popular free software applications of all time (Skype, 2009).
Educational Applications
Skype is a wonderful application in the classroom. It can be used in a variety of roles. One teacher, for example, used video calling to have his class take a tour of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The tour guide used a laptop with a webcam to show the class different parts of the center. The class was able to ask questions and the guide was able to answer in real time (Langhorst, 2009). This would especially useful in situations where a class many not be able to take a field trip do to finances or distance.
Another application would be guest speakers. One author wrote how she was able to discuss her middle-school aged book with a group of students from another state. Using Skype, the teacher was able to talk to the class about the book and answer questions they had about the book. This author goes on to list a number of children’s book authors who will do Skype interviews free of charge (Messner, 2009). Any number of guest speakers could be “brought in” using this program.
Some classes have even gone as far as having their classes discuss books from across the nation using Skype (Carolyn, 2008). Another group of fifth-grade classes come together via Skype every few weeks to review similar material. The two classrooms are made up of very different populations that will eventually be together in middle school. By reviewing together, these students are more prepare for when they will be attending school together (Cleaver, 2010). Yet another teacher took it a step farther and had a “visit” with a class from Hong Kong. The students asked questions to one another and learn about each other culture (Rosenstein, 2010).
Educational Research
While there is little formal research to the advantages of Skype in the classroom, many teachers report an increase in student participation and interest. Many teachers discuss the interest students have in getting to see a far away place and be able to ask questions about it. Students have also shown interest and excitement at seeing and interviewing authors of their favorite books (Langhorst, 2009).
In some cases however, motivation is still needed for Skype to be effective. One study had three homebound students use a laptop with webcam and Skype to participate in school. Of the three students, only one made it through (Pascopella, 2010). This shows that Skype alone cannot create excitement for learning. It the way in which the program is use that gets students excited and motivated for learning.
Advantages in the classroom
One of the primary reasons for Skype’s popularity is it relatively low cost. Video conferencing is not new technology. However, in the past this technology was very expensive and not cost effective for schools. It also required both parties to have the same equipment. With Skype all a teacher needs is a computer, a webcam, and an Internet computer. This makes video calls much more accessible the classrooms and education (Langhorst, 2009). Many times, after the purchase of the webcam, programs and lessons involving Skype are free. As previously mentioned many children’s authors will do free interviews via Skype. Teachers can also use Skype to communicate and collaborate between classes. Some principals and teachers have even used Skype to call classrooms while at conferences or meetings.
Personal Thoughts
I think Skype is a wonderful program and would love to use it in some of the ways that have been discussed. Video field trips and author interviews would be great would be great ways to do special things to get students excited about things they have learned about. I also think there is a lot of potential for inter-class collaboration. I really like the idea of doing things to involve students from different schools. Whether it is across town or around the world, I think it is important for students to see how much they have in common with other students. While I do think this program could be very useful in the classroom, I feel with elementary aged students it would be most useful as a class activity rather than an individual one. Still I am very excited about the potential of using Skype in my own class.
Skype webpage. (2009). Skype Fast Facts Q4 2008. Retrevied October 16, 2010 from http://ebayinkblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/skype-fast-facts-q4-08.pdf
Friis, Janus. (2005). Origin of the name/word "Skype". Message posted at http://web.archive.org/web/20051104064354/share.skype.com/blog/insight/origin_of_the_name%10word_%22skype%22/
Langhorst, Eric. “No Budget for Travel? Try Video Chat.” School Library Journal, v55 n6 p46-48 Jun 2009.
Messner, Kate. “Classroom author visits can happen via Skype (here's a list of those who do this for free).” School Library Journal, v55 n8 p36-38 Aug 2009.
Foote, Carolyn. “See Me, Hear Me: Skype in the Classroom.” School Library Journal, v54 n1 p42-43 Jan 2008
Cleaver, Samantha. "Tech kids love: great projects to try, websites to bookmark, and a world of learning to share with students." Instructor [1990] 120.1 (2010): 33+. General OneFile. Web. 16 Oct. 2010.
Pascopella, Angela. "Motivation is key to new kind of virtual learning." District Administration 46.7 (2010): 20. General OneFile. Web. 16 Oct. 2010.
Rosenstein, Amy. "From New York to China." Instructor [1990] 119.5 (2010): 11. General OneFile. Web. 16 Oct. 2010.
