Tech+Tool+Demonstration

=Skype: A Beginner's Guide= by Inna and Christine

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Skype is a messenger program that allows for free online video phone calls. Provided the user makes calls only to another computer, the service is free. It is simple to download from their website, www.skype.com.

One possible classroom use for Skype is to arrange pen pals with other classrooms, either across the country or in another country. Students can practice social skills, such as interview skills. Prior to a video conversation, the students can make a list of questions they want to ask their pen pal. After interviewing their pen pals they can write articles about their pen pals, strengthening not only their social skills, but their writing skills as well. They can also learn about different cultures and lifestyles. One example is that urban students can learn about rural students. The students can see what other classrooms are doing and learning.

In terms of cultural exchange, the teacher can make a study guide of topics they want students to learn from the partner classroom. The teacher can incorporate the cultural exchanges into their lessons. This gives the students firsthand knowledge of another culture that they cannot get from a textbook. Students can learn about different traditions, foods, values, family structures and roles, and clothing. After learning about the different foods and traditions, the students can use the information for a cultural night or afternoon. The students could also do a research project on the country or state in which their pen pals live. In this way, students will be able to explore diversity beyond their classroom.

Another application for Skype is for different classrooms to conduct joint science experiments. For example, students can learn the impact of altitude on boiling points and evaporation rates. Another scientific application is to monitor climate and weather. Students can learn about the flora and fauna as influenced by the climate. Students can also learn about different weather features such as hurricanes, temperature differences, and precipitation differences. Students can use the data, such as temperature and amount of precipitation, to study mean, mode, maximum, minimum, range, and graphing.

There are some logistical issues that the teacher will need to consider. Due to safety concerns, the teacher may not want each student to have a Skype account. This may also be a concern for many parents. However, if the teacher had one account, then the students will likely need to work in groups, as it would probably take too much class time to do individual conversations. Furthermore, the number of available computers may be limited. Another suggestion is that the teacher opens multiple teacher accounts so that more than one student or group can communicate at a time. For example, the teacher could have multiple user ids such as “teacher1,” teacher2,” and so on. However, the teacher will probably need a different email account for each id.

In conclusion, although there are a few logistical concerns about the program, there are many unique learning opportunities. The ability to broaden the students’ global view and apply it to many different subjects will help the students grasp concepts, and see real life applications for the knowledge they have obtained.

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