Denise Turnquist/Kelly Rexine

Social Networking Tool: Skype

Were you able to try out the tool with your partner?

Both my partner and I downloaded Skype for the very first time this week. Neither of us have video capability on our PC’s; therefore a video conference between the two of us was not available. However, we were able to converse similar by way of texting via computer and through mobile phone. I (Kelly) have the ability to work with Skype through an app on my smart phone. I found the app to be a quick and simplified version to the website.

Ease of use.

Getting to Skype and reading what Skype has to offer was an easy process. I googled Skype which brought me to the main site. Once there, it was an easy step-by-step process to download Skype. I was very pleased with the information Skype had to offer as well. It gave explicit detail on what is available at no charge and what services required a fee.

I found that Skype was very user friendly and easy to navigate through the website. I love it when websites have an introduction video. Skype has a quick two minute video that unfamiliar users can watch to learn about Skype before diving into the website.

Login/signup issues/problems.

Signing up to become a member of Skype was very easy with step-by-step instructions. The signup process was also very quick and not time consuming at all. Once the signup process is completed, a Skype icon is posted to the person’s desktop for easy login whenever Skype will be utilized. All in all, both the signup and login were very easy to download. I did not have any difficulties.

The login process was quick and signing up was straightforward. I believe you only needed to enter your name, age, phone number, country and create a username/password. It was a very simple procedure and I had no problems what so ever.

Ways the tool can be used in education/business. Provide examples.

Having very limited knowledge on how Skype could be incorporated within education, I researched ways in which teachers have used Skype for their educational purposes. I found this information to be extremely useful and beneficial.
1. Before/After reading a class novel, chat with the author via Skype.
2. Use Skype to talk with someone who specializes in a certain topic being studied.
3. Bring field trips to the classroom using Skype.
4. Incorporate or teach foreign languages using Skype.
5. Skype can be used as a tutor for students who may need extra help
6. Conduct interviews with teachers and/or students.
7. Have a guest lecturer.
8. Foreign culture lessons by viewing a festival, clothes, homes, schools, etc.
9. Form friendships around the world.
10. Class plays and projects can be shared with family, other classes, or other interesting people.
11. Connecting field trips with parents or other classrooms.
12. Teachers can use Skype for professional developments.
13. Distance learning by ‘bringing’ in specialized instructors to teach a lesson or experiment.
14. Professional Development
15. Parent/Teacher Conference – Maybe this way more parents would be involved during conference time.
16. Be available to your student during evening hours – Teachers could set up a time frame that they could be available to help their students with homework if needed.
17. Collaborate with other classrooms of the same grade level in your district, state, nation, and world.

Terms of service. How will they use your information? What will they do if there is a breach of security?

With most social networks, Skype is not liable for any mishaps or wrong doing. All payments for extended use or other offers need to be paid in full prior to downloading. Refunds for unused offers need to go through a certain website and this is not a guaranteed refund.

Costs/fees

Anyone can talk or have a video conference via Skype for free as long as the other party also has a Skype account. Therefore, Skype to Skype calls do not require payment. If the other party does not have a Skype account, contacting them through Skype on their mobile phone will have a fee ranging around $0.02 a minute or little over $1 a month with a connection fee of around $0.50. To pay for these costs and fees, credit can be obtained on the Skype website using a debt or credit card or by using paypal.

Other interesting aspects

Skype is the leading global internet communications tool. That being said, educators are able to Skype with virtually anyone across the globe by incorporating this into their classrooms. Educators aren’t the only customer…millions of people use Skype on a daily basis, as well. Because of this, Skype is available in over 28 languages.

In 2008, Skype had one billion downloads, making Skype one of the most popular free software application of all time. Skype’s 370 million registered users have made more than 100 billion minutes worth of free Skype to Skype calls. Skype was founded in August of 2003 and is now the leading internet communication company.

Pros/Cons

Apparently, there are a number of pros to Skype as opposed to cons. Virtually everyone who uses Skype has stated that it’s the cheapest, most secure way to talk directly with someone around the world. This network is fast, easy, and can be used with computers or mobile phones. Anyone is able to access Skype and to be able to use it.
Skype is yet another great innovative way to integrate technology in the classroom. Free is good, if Skype to Skype conferencing wasn’t free I doubt that this software would be as popular as it is today.

The number one con I found relating to Skype is that the quality of sound is not as good compared to a mobile or landline. The sound from a webcam tends to deteriorate, as well as frequent background noise could cause disruptive service.

Another con I had was making sure Skype is always safe and appropriate for users. Skype runs on an internet connections so when using Skype for a lesson teachers need to be sure who they’re communicating with. The internet can be a fun and great way to introduce new activities to students but teachers need to keep all precautions in mind.