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Integrating Skype in the Classroom

Authors: Dana Wielgus and Tammy Rusch

Learning Targets

- After reading this article, the reader should be able to:

 * ====Understand Skype and its popularity ====
 * ====Comprehend the history of Skype ====
 * ====Identify advantages and disadvantages of Skype in the classroom ====
 * ====Know the future direction of Skype ====

Introducing a New Technology: Skype
====The educational system has come a long way from textbooks, loose leaf, and number 2 pencils. A variety of technological advances, such as Skype, have come knocking on our classroom doors and, truth be told, it is about time that we answer them. As teachers, it can be quite difficult to __adapt__ Skype into our professional lives. However, __incorporating__ Skype into the classroom can contribute to higher learning by using it as a learning tool for students. For instance, not only can this free downloadable software be used to voice call and/or video call an individual, it can also be used as an instant messenger. Just think about it, Skype could be used to interview an author, listen to a guest speaker, or practice conversational foreign languages with native speakers from around the world. The possibilities are endless! ====

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What is Skype?
====“Skype is for doing things together, whenever you’re apart. Skype’s text, voice and video make it simple to share experiences with the people that matter to you, wherever they are." - Skype’s PR Team - ====

====With over 250 registered users, Skype has grown to be the most popular VOIP services in the world. Skype, free downloadable software, can be used to make free voice and/or video call over the internet to another cell phone or landline or to an individual using this same program. According to EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit __association__ whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology (2007), “Skype uses voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) technology, which converts voice signals into data streams that are sent over the Internet and converted back to audio by the recipient’s computer” (p.1). In other words, Skype is an application that turns a computer into a personal telephone. ====

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The History of Skype
====Skype is located in Luxembourg, but has many offices throughout the world. Invented in 2003 by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, Skype is an online communication tool used to talk to anyone anywhere in the world (Watrous 2011). It has several different features: instant messaging, telephone, or video calls. Skype has become a widely used tool among all types of people. In 2006, it reached 100 million users! Since the first version of Skype was released, a wide variety of features and services have been used in conjunction with the program. ==== ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">In just a few years, Skype has grown from a virtually unknown program to a very useful one, now used by millions of people each day worldwide. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Skype-In: This program allows people using landline phones to reach a Skype user on his or her computer via a regular telephone number. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Voice Conferencing: Introduced in 2006, video conferencing allows customers to hold video conference calls with other Skype users ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Skype To Go: The newest feature available to Skype Pro users, allows people to make international calls from their cell phones, at the Skype-Out rate they use for all calls from their computer. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Skype Mobile: Released in April 2008, Mobile Skype is compatible with around 50 different phones; the list of compatible phones continues to grow ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">In 2009, SIP, or Skype for Business is released (2011). ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">In May 2010, Skype 5.0 BETA is released (2011). ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">In May 2010, Skype for Apple's iPhone app is released (2011). ====

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Advantages of Skype
====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">With Skype, many different types of learning and opportunities become available in the classroom. Cost is also a major advantage. Skype can be used for free, thus making it a perfect tool for a public school system. Below are some examples of classroom opportunities and overall advantages to incorporating Skype into a lesson plan. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Conducting interviews and have guest lectures with people such as authors, scientists, or motivational speakers from across the globe. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Collaborating with classrooms, businesses, or other organizations with various projects. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Virtual Field trips; explore indoor and outdoor settings, have it led by a guide, and share the experience with other people ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Keeping in touch with penpals ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Practicing conversational foreign languages with native speakers; exploring foreign cultures first hand through Skype! ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Using Skype as an additional learning method or support system for students with severe illnesses (unable to come to class) or students with special needs. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Broadcasting a performance or project to parents and families unable to make it to school. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Accessing and sharing professional development opportunities, lesson plans, and units with other educators. ====



** Author Visits & Guest Lectures ** Author and illustrator, Mike Artnell, is one of many authors using Skype to visit classroom (Condron, 2010).

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Disadvantages of Skype
====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Though technology and Skype are proving to be a thriving aspect in the world of education, there are some disadvantages to relying on Skype as an active teaching tool. Skype requires the internet. As wonderful and convenient as the internet can be, it can also be unreliable and unpredictable, especially if a school district's internet connection is significantly slower. If routers and Wi-Fi connections are faulty, or if there is a problem with Skype that is out of one's control, it can disrupt or ruin a lesson. ====

====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Skype also requires certain equipment, such as webcams, which may be unavailable to some school districts. Finally, it may be hard to find people to Skype with your classroom; with a bit of networking and outside research however, that may no be a problem. ====

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Future Direction of Skype
====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">In many places, it seems that landlines are becoming more and more __obsolete__. More people will have access to Skype; therefore, the service will continue to improve its quality, such as adding features and combining other applications. Interestingly enough, people are not just interested in the free calls, but are willing to pay for the inexpensive services compared to the phone carriers. According to EDUCAUSE (2007), “In this way, Skype might __anticipate__ the __evolution__ of voice and video communication by taking advantage of the power of the Web. To the extent that wireless Internet access approaches __ubiquity__, Skype becomes a __legitimate__ competitor to cell phones, and this could have a __profound__ __impact__ on the communication __landscape__” (p.2). ====

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Conclusion
====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Technology is growing at a faster rate than ever. As the internet progresses and advances, so do classrooms. Incorporating every day functions such as Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Wikis, and Skype is not only __beneficial__, but also __practical__. As Skype continues to be __utilized__ within the classroom, students' abilities to make global connections, become more __efficient__ with the internet, and develop a more virtual way of learning will greatly shape new ways of learning and teaching in the classroom. ====

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Glossary

 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Adapt: to adjust or make suitable ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Anticipate: to foresee; to realize beforehand ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Association: an organization of people with a common purpose and a formal structure ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Beneficial: helpful ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Efficient: performing in the best possible manner in the least amount of time ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Evolution: a process of development ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Impact: effect ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Incorporating: to include ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Landscape: a distinct area of land ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Legitimate: of the normal ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Obsolete: no longer in general use ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Practical: useful ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Profound: intense ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Ubiquity: the state of being everywhere ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Utilized: to put to use ====

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">References
Barton, C. (2011, February 9). Q&A Interview With Skype's PR Team. In Examiner. Retrieved February 9, 2011, from http://www.examiner.com/long-distance-relationships-in-manchester/q-a-interview-with-skype-s-pr-team?render=print

Condron, A. (2009-2010). News, Recommendations and Resources By Teachers For Teachers. Retrieved February 12, 2011, from []

EDUCAUSE. (2007). Seven Things You Should Know About Skype. In EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. Retrieved February 9, 2011, from []

50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom.(2011). Retrieved February 12, 2011, from []

Kurmala, A. (2007, August 11). The Frugal Way to Talk: Skype. In Technizzel. Retrieved February 11, 2011, from []

Maney, K. (2004, April 13). Technology. In USA Today. Retrieved February 11, 2011, from []

Watrous, L. (2010, June 6). A Brief History of Skype. Retrieved February 11, 2011, from []