Fifty Plus Ways to Use Skype

From LiteracyTentWiki

Subject: [PD 4878] Fifty plus ways to use Skype
From: Steve Quann
Date: Fri Jul 16 10:02:09 EDT 2010

I thought people might like to see some examples of how Skype is being used in teaching. (If you or your staff are not familiar with Skype you might want to see this explanation of it. http://tinyurl.com/28x7m2p. While I am at it, if you find this kind of explanation helpful, scroll down to see ones on technology from CommonCraft on this page: http://www.commoncraft.com/videos. These are truly excellent for explaining the basic concepts behind many of these tools.)

I have found Skype to be useful in a one-to-one situation with ELLs for many already have it in order to communicate with friends and family in their country of origin. Some things I have learned:

  • Using the message feature: Aside from the obvious conversation practice, the messaging system allows me or students to type a word that they are having difficulty so it is more easily identified.
  • Add-ons: If you haven’t already seen the add-ons, such as whiteboards etc. Go to the “Tools” menu and then “Extras” and click, “Get Extras.” Most are on a free trial basis. But like many on the list have warned, “Buyer Beware.” I suggest selecting Skype Certified ones, so that you don’t download an app with spyware on it.

Here are fifty ways you could use Skype in the classroom
http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/

I know that Susan Gaer has used it in the classroom and hopefully she might share with you at least from the above examples in more detail.

What have others done with your classes? Do you see potential use for Skype in Professional Development? Do you have any examples where you have used it?

Best,

Steve Quann
World Education
Boston, MA

Subject: [PD 4889] Re: Fifty plus ways to use Skype
From: Susan Gaer
Date: Fri Jul 16 11:59:01 EDT 2010

I have made a Wiki with two lesson ideas and audio files of my students speaking. I hope it will be helpful. I also included a paragraph that my low beginning students wrote after an interview with someone on Skype.

It is all archived at http://aalpdgroup.wikispaces.com/Skype

I use Skype as a conduit for having guest speakers in the classroom. I also use it for students to call me in the classroom when they can't attend class. I use it as a followup aid to help students with classroom followup and I use it for students or are too sick to come to school but want to follow the class from home. I currently have one young student with malignant cancer (he won't say what type). He is on Chemo and attends class via skype whenever he feels up to it.

Susan Gaer
Google Certified Teacher

Santa Ana College School of Continuing Education

Retrieved from "http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/Fifty_Plus_Ways_to_Use_Skype"