The Internet and Web 2.0 tools have revolutionized how we communicate and collaborate. Siemens (2008) mentions online tools permits global communication. The tools involved in this revolution include older items like e-mail and newer items like Skype and Twitter. All of the online communication tools have made it possible for individuals to communicate at an instant and be able to collaborate on various projects. Richardson comments that we are now equipped to “connect to vast networks” (2009, p. 5) and with this we are forced change how we approach education.
The first blog I found related to Skype gave an idea of how this tool is used and how it impacts its users. Thomas Leverett at http://tomleveretts.blogspot.com/2009/06/skype-me.html discusses the advantages and disadvantages of Skype regarding his ESL students. He states, “Love of family is the driving force that makes it difficult for people to stay abroad, or that drives them home…Skype, I feel, has more than any other force made the world much smaller. And, it's free!” Via Skype individuals can opt to use a video cam as they converse. Leverett’s blog continues as it details disadvantages of this emergent technology. Schools may not have the technology available to support the tools. The limitations could stem from bandwidth and connection. In addition, he mentions that because Skype is free and anybody can use it, predators may try to connect with students. Leverett is not sure of the educational value of Skype, but he does go on to say educational tools need to have the ability to record and save material so that it can be later viewed and evaluated.
I found one more blog that was excellent! Students used Skype to interview authors to complete a class project. I thought this was very creative and the tools gave them a chance to experience emergent technologies in the classroom. The ten minute video imbedded at the blog explained the parameters of the project, how it encouraged higher order thinking skills and nurtured the student-centered environment. The blog can be accessed at http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2009/06/not-education-as-usual-on-skype-blog.html by Karl Fisch, a technology director at Arapahoe High School in Colorado. To quote him “The hard part isn’t the technology, it’s the pedagogy. How do we do this in a way that’s meaningful and relevant and engaging and worth wild for kids…How do we create a valuable experience?”
References:
Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, wikis, podcasts and other powerful web tools for classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Siemans, G. (2008). The future of distance education. Laureate Education, Inc. DVD. Principles of Distance Education. Baltimore: Author.
Family photos from Dec 22, 2024
6 days ago
Tracee,
ReplyDeleteIt’s amazing how far the Internet has progressed beyond simply presenting information. Most of the advanced Internet technologies now have interactive features that work to engage our students in innovative ways. Skype surely has the potential to be one of those motivating educational technology tools. Unfortunately, despite being labeled as “progressive,” my school district blocks a large majority of such Web 2.0 tools—I believe Skype is one of them.
I must admit I didn’t think to use Skype as a teaching tool previously since I wasn’t that familiar with it before I started coursework at Walden. So, I’ll have to confirm that I truly can’t access Skype in my classroom when I return to school in August. In any case, thanks to our Ed Tech coursework and your great additional information about Skype, I’m learning so much regarding how such technology can be used to enhance student learning at all grade levels.
I know for sure that my school district subscribes to VoiceThread. It’s a free Web 2.0 application that allows users to have web-based conversations--centered on digital media--using text, a video camera, microphone and/or a telephone. VoiceThread is safe and secure for K-12 classrooms. However, it is an asynchronous application as opposed to Skype with its synchronous environment. Here’s the site for VoiceThread if you’re interested in checking it out: http://voicethread.com/.
Also, here’s the link to the VoiceThread 4 Education wiki created by Colette Cassinellia where you’ll find some good examples of how VoiceThread can be used in the K-12 classroom: http://voicethread4education.wikispaces.com/. Needless to say, I’m discovering new ways to use all of these innovative teaching tools each and every day!