Skype is connecting teachers and classrooms across the globe
We’ve created a neat online tool to help teachers and their students connect with other educators and classrooms around the world. It’s called Skype in the classroom.
If you’re a teacher, it’s a place where you can connect with other educators according to your interests, the age group you teach or location, and find partner classes or guest speakers to join projects you’re working on. There are already over 3900 teachers around the world signed up and using the tool, so you’ll be in good company. As an added bonus you can share and find a wealth of knowledge and inspiration in the resources area.
The community has been developed in response to, and in close collaboration with, a passionate group of teachers who are already using Skype in their classrooms to help their students learn.
Young people need to be able to communicate effectively to develop their own opinions and present information and ideas to others. Research in this field suggests that ICT applications strengthen and increase the possibilities of communication and reinforce the development of collaborative skills between peers. This is arguably just one of the reasons why teachers are taking advantage of rich communications tools like Skype to facilitate learning that exposes children to different cultures and ways of communicating.
In fact, almost everyday we hear a wonderful story about how our simple software is being put to good use for learning. From international projects on weather, mega-cities, and world populations, to classroom exchanges on earthquakes, culture and language, to helping deaf children communicate, teaching English to Haitian children, connecting students with experts from lawyers and authors, survival experts, paleoanthropologists, and other inspirational guest speakers on global issues such as peace and the importance of intercultural cooperation.
A community of over 3900 teachers and educators across 99 different countries are using Skype in the classroom to collaborate with partner classrooms, find like-minded teachers, and share teaching resources and inspiration around the globe. Thanks to their dedication we are creating a global community that allows you to:
- Search by location, map or keyword to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s a teacher, resource or project.
How to create a profile and find a teacher from Skype in the classroom on Vimeo.
- Showcase projects you want to carry out and post details of the kind of partner you are looking for, and find projects to participate in.
How to create a project from Skype in the classroom on Vimeo.
- Share and find resources, ideas, information and advice.
Share a resource from Skype in the classroom on Vimeo.
Join Skype in the Classroom now with your Skype account to connect with teachers and classrooms around the globe. We hope you find it useful. You can let us know via the feedback tab.
Hi!
In the morning, I present to colleagues “Teaching and Technology Trends Symposium” in Austin Texas. My talk is entitled “Skype measures UP with Students”. This presentation addresses the rethinking of college offices hours, going virtual with conferencing over Skype. The use of Skype enhances student/faculty communication and interaction supporting student success.
would be nice if the new 5.0 skype actually worked. there are at least 20 posts on error code 1603 in the forums and NOBODY is helping. can’t uninstall it, can;t install it. Nice mess.
Have to hand edit the HREG keys to get rid of it.
Are there any SKYPE Admins out there at all?
Hello everyone,
Even though I am not a teacher, I am actually an eighth grader. But in my opinion, I believe this is a really great tool for all teachers AND students. It does really help in the communication. Glad to have skype!
Hi There,
My name is Steven Krasner. I conduct interactive and motivational classroom writing workshops and Professional Development sessions via Skype under an umbrella I call “Nudging the Imagination.” — http://www.nudgingtheimagination.com
All of my K-12, grade-appropriate sessions tie directly into the curriculum and offer suggestions to teachers as to how they incorporate writing across the curriculum while still addressing the various standards and testing issues. They also help “nudge” the students along the path to becoming independent and enthusiastic writers.
I am an award-winning children’s author and a mostly retired sports writer. I covered the Boston Red Sox for the final 22 years of my 33 years at the Providence (RI) Journal and now cover the Red Sox and New England Patriots for ESPN’s Boston website (ESPNBoston.com) on a freelance basis.
I have been conducting my numerous “Nudging the Imagination” writing workshops in classrooms across the country for more than 20 years, and this past year have begun conducting many of my workshops via Skype. I also have done assembly-type, author visits via Skype.
Please visit my website — http://www.nudgingtheimagination.com. On the home page is a brief video that shows how I work with students, how engaged they become and the value teachers find in “Nudging the Imagination.” And while the video shows an actual classroom visit, Skype visits generate similar enthusiasm and educational value at a budget-friendly cost to the school.
Thank you. I’ll look forward to hearing from teachers about possible visits.
All my best,
Steve
For those who use Skype internationally, it would be really wonderful if there was a feature where we could see the local time of the people whom we call, including making the decision whether to call. Ideally, the local time would show at the top of the individual’s Contact page. That way before we hit the “Call Phone” button, we would know whether we are calling at an appropriate time of day.
Skype is really very helpful for Skype teacher. One great software to have.