Skype

Name of Tool	Website URL	Cost	Download or Web-based	1 sentence description of the tool
Skype	www.skype.com	Free but can do in app purchases	Download on a computer or a Smartphone.	Skype is a video communication technology.

Skype

Description of the Tool

Skype is a communication technology that can video call, send messages, and group communication. The main purpose of this technology is to video chat or communicate with a contact. This technology also has the ability to send pictures and video to contacts when they are not available. Skype can be used on a one on one basis or in a group setting.

How to Use This Tool

There will be two potions of how to use Skype. There is a written section and there will be a demonstration on how to use Skype using screen-casting. The screen-casting will make it easier for an individual to make the steps the same time they are being described. If the individual has any problems the video can be paused while the individual works through the steps. Please follow the link provided below to a more in depth step by step video on how to use Skype.

https://youtu.be/pe1x_BiPyJU

How to Use Skype Written Steps.

1. Download Skype to either a computer or a Smartphone

2. Set up a personal Profile.

   1. Add picture for visual recognition

   2. Set up personal settings to include notifications.

3. Find some contacts.

   1. Search for individuals or contact them in another form and ask for their id.

4. Communicate with a contact.

   1. Video Call a contact

      1. While in a video call you can send pictures or emoji’s

      2. These pictures and documents sent during a call will remain after ending the call for both to reflect on at a later time.

   2. Send a text message to a contact

   3. Send a video message to a contact.

   4. Send a picture message to a contact

5. Communicate with a group

   1. Set up a group for communication

      1. Video call the group

         1. During the video call picture messages can be sent to the entire group that will show up for reference later on.

      2. Send a text message to the group.

      3. Send a video message to the group.

      4. Send a picture message to the group.

How Can This Tool be Used by the Trainer/Teacher?

Skype can be an excellent resource for a teacher or trainer. A teacher can use Skype to have office meetings with individuals that cannot meet in person. A teacher can also use Skype to improve themselves by joining a Skype group that meets or shares information on a regular basis. A group of teachers can use Skype to develop lesson plans together. The teacher can work with other teacher throughout the world to find tips and different ways to help teach a lesson effectively. A teacher can Skype with substitutes to insure teaching is happening correctly. A teacher may also use Skype to keep in touch with their class if they are out for medical reasons.

How Can This Tool be Used by the Trainer/Teacher to Support Student Learning?

Skype can be used by a trainer or teacher to support student learning in numerous ways. The following is a list of ways:

• Answer question in a video chat just as if it were in person.

• Answer questions sent by a student when the teacher has time.

• Help a student through a video call which can be more effective for some students

• Send a video to a group a students to watch when they get time.

• The teacher can do one on one tutoring with students more conveniently than in person.

• If a teacher is on travel or on a research trip they can easily video communicate their findings with students.

• Teachers can do a lesson on Skype and students can watch as many times as needed.

• Teachers can work with other classes through Skype giving assignments more input.

• A teacher can use Skype by having a guest speaker that couldn’t be there in person.

• A Teacher can send documents or pictures during a video call that will remain available for the student to reference in the future.

• A teacher can use Skype to show students how other classes do things throughout the world. Skype could easily link classes in other parts of the country and even other parts of the world.

How Can This Tool be Used by Students?

Skype can be used by students in a number of ways that will benefit them. The first is they can do a study group together through a video call. Skype makes it so students don’t have to find a place to meet plus travel to the location. If the students can decide a time they can just use skype to have a study session. The students will be able to share notes and other documents during the study session that they can be referenced later on. Students can also practice presentations with Skype. If they can find an individual to video chat with they can do the presentation and get some immediate feedback. If no one is available the student can still do a presentation and just send it to the group and receive feedback later on. The students can also share a project or paper with other students to get feedback or get someone to proof read their paper. If a group of students are working together on a project students can use skype to meet.

Training and Other Resources

The first resource is website that gives a list of ways to use Skype that can benefit both teaching and the learning. I enjoyed this list. It gives a good idea of how much Skype can be used in a wide variety of ways.

http://www.theedadvocate.org/10-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/

There are different PC’s out there that can use Skype. I am providing this next link because it gives a good how to use Skype on a MAC computer. Since my how to does not cover the MAC here is a link for that information.

https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA12016/finding-your-way-around-skype-mac

This next link is more way to get creative with Skype. In this article it mentions using Skype to help students that are to sick to come to school. I really like that idea since my daughters seem to come home and talk about friends that were at school sick. This just spreads the sickness. If a teacher uses Skype these kids could be home and still attend class. Another thing I really like about this article is near the end it gives a list of tools that can help make Skype even more useful.

http://www.edudemic.com/skype-in-classroom/

Conclusion

Skype is a great communication technology. It is fun and can be very effective for communicating. I have found multiple ways that Skype can benefit me both personally and professionally. How can it help you? What part of your life will Skype improve? Do you think it is something that can make meetings easier to get too? Is it something you can communicate with your kids while away on travel? No matter the use I hope Skype will benefit you.