Journal 9: Playing with Skype (NETS I, III & V)

Weller, T.J. (2010). Playing with skype. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25508&DirectListComboInd=

"Playing with Skype" by Travis J. Weller is an article about using Skype, an online video-communication tool, to connect with experts all over the world. In his music class he was able to connect to concerts and with composure form established symphonies at Universities across the nation. It is extremely easy to use and students can connect in a real way with experts in the field that they are studying. It allows students access to more experts, that way they can see different fields and make more informed career choices. It is good to have guest speakers in a classroom but sometimes its hard to get experts to come to your school, due to geographical problems. This allows guest speakers to come from all different fields from all different regions.

How could teachers find experts that are willing to talk to their classes?

Although it might be difficult to find experts, it won't be difficult to find people willing to use the super simple video conferencing tool. Many people have met friends or know family friends in different careers that could come in to talk to students about different career paths.

Skype has kind of a bad name, how could teachers ensure that parents feel safe having their students work on Skype?

In this sort of environment the teacher would be controlling the whole presentation so students would not be able to use Skype in a way that is unethical or inappropriate. It also exposes students to the "good" use a program like Skype that is often used in a negative way.