Table of contents
- 1. Using Skype in the Classroom
- 1.1. Desktop Voice and Videoconferencing Software in Education
- 1.2. Objectives
- 1.3. Using Skype
- 1.4. Safety and Privacy Considerations for School Settings
- 1.5. How can Teachers and Students Use Skype?
- 1.6. Collaborate on ideas or projects for educational uses of Skype
- 1.7. Web Resources for Learning More about Skype
- 1.7.1. Help Resources
- 1.7.2. Skype in Education
Using Skype in the Classroom
Desktop Voice and Videoconferencing Software in Education
Discover how to communicate and collaborate with friends, colleagues, resource experts, and other classrooms using Skype.
Skype is a program that allows users to communication with voice, videoconferencing, or chat for free between computers.
Create a Skype account, add contacts, and conduct free audio and video conferences between computers.
Explore creative ways to use this tool to enhance teaching and learning.
Objectives
- Learn how to use Skype
- Consider privacy and safety issues
- Identify uses and advantages of using Skype for your classroom
- Explore Web Resources for Skype in Education
Using Skype
1. Create a Skype account
- Getting Started (Mac)
- To Start Skype (Windows)
2. From Help Menu select "Getting Started" (Version 3) or "Welcome Screen" (Version 4) to:
- Test microphone, speakers, and camera settings
- Find friends and add contacts
- Make a free call to another computer
- Learn how to call regular phones FOR A FEE!
3. Add multiple callers to create a conference call
- Make a Conference Call (Mac)
- Make a Conference Call (Windows)
- During a regular call, you can add callers
4. Make a Video Call with a WebCam
- Video Calling (Mac - most newer macs have a built-in i-Sight camera )
- Video Calling (Windows - most Windows computers require a USB webcam)
- More answers about Video Calls
5. Start a Chat Session
- Chat and Group Chat (Mac)
- Chat and Group Chat (Windows)
6. Share Files
- Sending Files (Mac)
- Sending Files (Windows)
Safety and Privacy Considerations for School Settings
(Excellent recommendations from Using Skype in School - Buckinghamshire Grid for Learning )Setting your privacy settings correctly
Ensure that your privacy options are set so that you only receive calls or chat messages from people on your contact list (i.e. people who you know and have chosen to add) or people who you've shared your details with. It's possible to have someone on your contact list but not share your details with them, so this option is even more private. View the Setting privacy options for use in the classroom demonstration for a walk through of how to do this.
Never set your status to "Skype Me"
Your status is a very important aspect of using Skype - it lets other users know whether or not you can or want to accept calls. While using Skype in school you should never set your status to Skype Me - this overrides your privacy settings mentioned above and allows anyone to call or message you. View the Setting your online status demonstration to see how to do this and what each state means.
How can Teachers and Students Use Skype?
Suggested Ways to Use Skype
- Conduct collaborative research with students in another part of the world
- Practice communication with another language or culture
- Ask questions of experts or community resource people
- Communicate with family members abroad
- Conduct parent conferences
- Provide mentoring or homework help
- Read, present or perform to a remote audience
- Collaborate with other teachers
- Participate in Professional Development
Brainstorming More Ideas for Using Skype
Collaborate on ideas or projects for educational uses of Skype
Web Resources for Learning More about Skype
Help Resources
Skype in Education
- John's Delicious bookmarks on Skype
- Using Skype in the Classroom (This page in Google Docs)
- Classroom Collaboration with Skype (PDF from Andy Mann)
- Using Skype in School (From Buckinghamshire Grid for Learning)
- Using Skype at School (From Skype for Dummies)
- Around the World in 80 Schools Project
- Skype in the Classroom (by Andy Fryer on Tools for the TEKS)
- A Skype Techtorial (from Education World)
- Skype for Education and Music Performance
- Tag page
- What links here
Files 3
| File | Size | Date | Attached by | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Skype Handout.doc No description | 893 kB | 22:35, 31 Oct 2008 | tthompson2 | Actions | |
| Using Skype in the Classroom.doc No description | 85.5 kB | 01:40, 6 Nov 2008 | jschauer | Actions | |
| Using Skype in the Classroom.pdf No description | 33.76 kB | 01:40, 6 Nov 2008 | jschauer | Actions | |