[An extra post]
Skype, according to wikipedia, "is a software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet." Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing.
The official site is skype.com
Say it visually video - Sayitvisually - A simple visual explanation of Skype. You can use voice, text, files, screen, video and conference with up to 25 people. The application may not be a wide reaching as the others but the application can be applied world wide through the free download.
Sayitvisually (2009, June).
Social networking encourages communication and information sharing on the web. Facebook allows you to look for classmates - so does Skype. Both allow for IM, file sharing, and photo sharing. Skype allows for live chat - does Facebook?
Skype in Schools...Finally! from D Mitchel on Tech Talk Blog April 2, 2009. This article talks about collaborating with other teachers and looking for applications into uses at school. Facebook allows for collaboration too in the group format.
Dan Froelich's wiki on Skype in Schools lists a directory of schools participating in 2008 . Some examples of how to use include second language classes - actually speaking with classes from other countries, setting up epals and communicating with them, school trips to different countries - talk to the people you'll be visiting, geography quizzes between classes, read across the country and connecting with authors in different cities and discuss global issues with international students. Don't forget the collaboration with other teachers - you can say a lot more speaking than writing it out.
There are some downsides: having access to project Skype voices throughout the classroom; finding others to participate with (although that connection has been discussed); webcam to see and be seen by other parties; and not supported at school because of downloading, bandwidth issues, and security problems.
Have a look at 50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom from Teaching Degree.org Blog from June 30, 2009. There's a link to Around the World in 80 Schools.
There is Let's Skype talk On the Teacher Librarian Ning, Never Ending Search (SLJ), there has been some discussion using skype but not many have used this service.
What do you think? Is Skype a social network on a small scale?
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Skype, why not? As a teenager I used to talk on the phone. Funny though, I have three teenagers in my house and my phone doesn't ring that often
ReplyDeleteThey do't use phones,,,they text. Is text a SN?
Not a great way to expad your network though.
Thanks for the info, I have never used skype.
Dawn