Web 2.0 and Emerging Learning Technologies/Skype

Skype is software that allows users to make phone calls worldwide only by means of a microphone or a headset. These phone calls can be made from one PC to another if they have this software installed. Not only can users talk to people from PC to PC, but also from a PC to a cellphone, or to a telephone which is not connected to the Internet. One of Skype most practical features is that currently, it is free of charge if you talk to people from a pc to another which has the same software installed. If you want to contact people from your Pc to a cell phone or a landline telephone you have to pay a fee. Features: Skype is ideal for: Making phone/PC calls Sending instant messages Making a video call Starting a conference call / videoconferencing Sending pictures and files / sharing material. Teaching and learning possibilities. What a teacher/ Student can do Skype allows students to take their classes out of the traditional academic environment. They can watch / listen to their classes only with the aid of a PC and an Internet connection. Skype is also ideal for teachers, who can also provide online private classes to one or multiple students. Massive online conferences can be held too, as well as attending "virtually" to educational events around the world. Examples links: Using Skype In the Classroom: http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/Using-Skype-at-School.id-4420.html We´ve chosen these example link because it gives us a lot of things we can do in the classroon using skype not only for students but also for teachers. Talk to Canada.com Online English Speaking Course and Online English Class Information http://www.talktocanada.com/online-english-speaking-course-classes.html We have chosen this example because it shows some things we can do using skype; such as practicing pronunciation, and English fluency. At the same time we can learn a lot of things from the person we are talking to. Successful Teaching Using Skype in the Classroom http://successfulteaching.blogspot.com/2008/04/using-skype-in-classroom.html This example shows that Skype is a very good source to learn more about all the countries in the world. To learn about their cultures, their languages, etc.