Arnold_Skype+in+the+Classroom

=Skype in the Classroom=

__**Project Description**__

Skype is a word that is now commonly used in our daily lives. Skype is available on any technological device that has a microphone and a camera; such as, iPads, iPods, desktop computers, laptops, net books, and cellphones. Skype in the classroom, however, was not always an open forum until recently it was a closed group and for members only. Today Skype in the Classroom is a free and easy way to connect with teachers and experts from around the world - and bring them right into your classroom. It now hosts a community of people and information to save teachers time and help them make the most of Skype and the international teaching community. The possibilities of Skype in the Classroom are now endless. media type="custom" key="21009102"A quick introduction of Skype in the classroom

Before you begin using Skype in the Classroom you must first download Skype in the classroom at https://education.skype.com/ and create a username and password. This tutorial will walk you through how to go about setting up your profile. It is very quick and takes no more than 15 minutes or so.

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Please click on link to hear presentation.

Once presentation is playing, please open this link to view the Skype in the Classroom home page so that you may see what I am talking about. https://education.skype.com/

__**Content Uses of This Technology**__

Skype in the classroom can be used for any class, at any grade level. Skype in the classroom can be used to;
 * 1) Interview authors, astronauts and other amazing individuals from around the world.

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 * 1) Collaborate with classrooms, businesses and more in multi-disciplinary projects.
 * 2) Explore a volcano, rainforest, or history museum in virtual field trips with experts in the field or even share your field trip experiences with others.
 * 3) Practice conversational foreign languages with native speakers.

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 * 1) Provide additional support for students needing extra attention or unable to come to class.
 * 2) Invite a guest lecturer from leading educators and experts from anywhere in the world.
 * 3) Explore foreign cultures first hand with classroom to classroom video conferencing.

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 * 1) Broadcast a performance or project to parents and families unable to make it to school.
 * 2) Access and share professional development opportunities with educators on the go.
 * 3) Collaborate with innovative educators to plan units, lessons, and more

This video shows various teachers from different cities and states who have incorporated Skype in the classroom INTO their classrooms, they each give a little detail on what they have incorporated, how it was done and with the partnering classroom they have done it with.

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__**Pedagogical Consideration for this Project**__

Skype in the classroom allows for instruction to move away from being primarily teacher-centered to more student-centered. It allows for the students to take control of their own learning. The standards that align to Skype in the classroom are;


 * ====Standard 1- Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity ==== || * Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness ||
 * Standard 2- Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments || * Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
 * Customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources ||
 * Standard 3- Model Digital Age Work and Learning || * Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
 * Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation ||
 * Standard 4- Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility || * Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources ||
 * Standard 5- Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership || * Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others ||


 * __Where to Purchase/Acquire__**

Skype in the classroom is a free internet based service and can be downloaded for free from https://education.skype.com/


 * __Resources Used__**

Youtube, http://www.youtube.com/ Vimeo https://vimeo.com/home/discover Role of Skype in Education, http://www.techmaish.com/role-of-skype-in-education/

__**Additional Resources**__

=Cool Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom= [| By: Annie Condron], http://www.teachhub.com/using-skype-classroom

**5 Skype Companion Tools - http://blog.learningtoday.com/blog/bid/41726/10-Ways-to-Use-Skype-in-the-Classroom**
To get the most out of Skype, you should consider utilizing other web 3.0 and social networking sites such as
 * Web 2.0 Tools for Class Projects - such as Twiddla in order to brainstorm, collaborate, and share ideas in real time.
 * Google Docs - allows participants to share and edit documents.
 * Flickr - to share photos and enhance the feeling of learning together across a distance.
 * Blogs - to reflect and share learning.
 * Twitter - as a backchannel during interviews, lectures, etc and as a way to continue the conversation throughout the school year.

**//Online Skype Communities - http://blog.learningtoday.com/blog/bid/41726/10-Ways-to-Use-Skype-in-the-Classroom//**

 * ePals Global Community offers a free 30 day trial. Sign up to connect with other classrooms using Skype.
 * Skype in the Classroom Ning is for teaches interested in using Skype to connect with other teachers for idea sharing and classroom video conferencing.
 * The Mixxer is a free educational community for language exchanges via Skype.
 * Meet the Author Network connects you with numerous authors willing to enter your library or classroom for 10 – 15 minute skyp sessions for free. You can also set up longer interviews for a fee.

**//Global Skype Projects - http://blog.learningtoday.com/blog/bid/41726/10-Ways-to-Use-Skype-in-the-Classroom//**

 * Global School Network engages classrooms worldwide in meaningful project-based learning exchanges to develop science, math, and literacy skills and foster collaboration, global citizenship, and multicultural understandings.
 * Taking it Global is an online community of global educators with the goal of making a difference in the world.
 * Around the World with 80 Schools introduced on the Langwitches blog challenges teachers to connect with 80 different schools via skype in order to circle the globe once.

**//Skype in Education Directories - http://blog.learningtoday.com/blog/bid/41726/10-Ways-to-Use-Skype-in-the-Classroom//**
Connect with other educator’s looking for video conferencing classroom partnerships at these directories. Did I miss one? Please add it in comments. Thanks!
 * Skype in Schools Directory
 * Eduskypers Phonebook

=50 Creative Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom - http://notanotherhistoryteacher.edublogs.org/2012/08/22/50-creative-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/=