I have had a Skype account for awhile now. I first discovered Skype as a "fix" for the issue of living two and a half hours away from my in-laws. It was really a necessity once we had kids, I mean they really weren't that worried about seeing us when we talked, but with the kids, it was a whole new ballgame. Skype proved to be such a good thing that I remember that we looked more and more if we could incorporate into the district and use it for professional/educational use. Sure enough we did just that.
Skype is an excellent tool that I use every single day in my classroom. The first question some ask is why do you want to see everybody you talk to. Well, the short answer is... you don't. I really don't actually use the web-cam feature very much on Skype. By far, I use the chat feature the most. This allows me to ask a quick question of a colleague or to have them ask me a quick question, rather than send an e-mail, wait for it to be read, then wait for a response. Next, I would have to say that I use the audio call the second most. Here, I can just be talking to someone while I am still working on the computer. It is great for those meetings/calls where you have to look up information or work on a project as you are speaking to somebody. And finally, I do use the video feature, just not as much.
I have seen the video feature used to Skype in guest speakers or famous authors. In fact, if you are looking to Skype in an author, check out: http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/. Here, you will find many authors who are willing to Skype into your classroom for 15 minutes (longer costs money), but many of the 15 minute session(s) offered are FREE!
There are many uses for Skype, both professionally and personally. Try it out, Skype me sometime... my username is dmitch528. It truly is one of those tools, that the more you use it, the more it will become part of your everyday routine.
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Great ideas and thanks for sharing the Skype an Author site. Skype is probably my favorite web application. I use it multiple times a day, just as you have outlined. My work computer does not have a webcam, but I still use the audio Skype and chat to really get work done in a much more effective manner.
ReplyDeleteAs you noted, Skype has a tie in to people's personal lives as well. It is so great for keeping in touch with family and friends. It makes such a difference when you can actually see the other person on the other end of the line. I Skype with family when they go to Florida for the winter and they were able to use their laptop webcam to show me their new home.
One of the other things I have seen teachers do is Skype into classrooms to share places they are visiting...like the State Capitol. It allows classes to go places they are not able to physically attend....and it's all free!!