Amy Bonner

 Voice Over-IP service and instant messenger ◦ Service allows you to make calls to other computers for free or low cost to direct phone lines ◦ Use of a Webcam allows you to see who you are talking to  Features ◦ Allows you to store frequently used numbers ◦ Conference calls ◦ Instant message using text feature ◦

Can conference with several people… … or one person at a time

 Founded in 2003 by Janus Friis in Denmark  Acquired by Microsoft ◦ May 10, 2011  Name derived from “sky” and “peer”

 Use Skype to connect with people when you cannot meet in person due to scheduling conflicts, distance, time, weather etc. ◦ Way of holding class when you cannot meet in person ◦ Virtual Fieldtrips ◦ Guest/author lectures ◦ Parent-Teacher conferences ◦ Classroom Pen Pals

 A teacher can give a lesson on Skype if they cannot hold a class. ◦ Inclement weather ◦ Out of town  Class can log on to Skype to see the teacher as if they were present in the classroom giving the lesson.

 Many places that students would take a field trip to are now teleconferencing to students through Skype. ◦ Zoos, museums, historical landmarks, state parks have people in charge to teleconference to students so they can get a virtual tour without leaving their classroom. ◦ Benefits: cost effective, students can “tour” places that are not close to their location, go to many more places ◦ ◦ ◦

 Classrooms can use Skype to have a video conference with a guest lecturer or author whose topic or book they have been reading. ◦ Gives students the opportunity to ask questions to people whose work they have been studying. ◦ The guest lecturers/authors are more likely to connect with the classrooms when it is as easy and quick as Skype is.

 Parents can be too busy with work, other children, family life, etc to attend the designated time they have Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Skype can be used when these conferences cannot be held in person, but is more personal than a phone call or an .

 Classrooms can interact with students in other parts of the world by using Skype.  Programs available that classrooms can join to get teamed up with classrooms in different parts of the world that want to have a classroom pen- pal ◦ Enables students to learn more about other people’s cultures and make friends all over the globe. ◦ Chinese class skypes with kids from China ◦ ◦ USA class skypes with kids from Croatia ◦

 I think Skype is very versatile and easy to use for classrooms with students of any age.  More personal than a phone call or  Being used more and more in all areas of personal, educational and professional use.

 As we learned, Skype can connect people all over the globe by the touch of a button. Q: If you could choose one living person in the entire world to Skype with who would it be? What questions would you ask them? Share with the class!!!