I Skype my PLN!
Yes, Skype is a great tool. Amanda Marrinan and I have used Skype to discuss our PLN….and a really precocious techie toddler.
It is strange that sometimes people resist the most obvious and easiest interactive, free online tools. In my own case, I came to Skype only recently, but it has revolutionized the way I communicate with my Professional Learning Network (PLN). What finally helped me turn to real Skype use was the encouragement of my peers.
Since my teen, as part of her official, school web applications, uses Skype in her Project Based Learning Activities, we discussed how she and her peers use Skyp. Later, I wrote an article, Anticipate and Skype Your Reaction about a few of the many possible educational uses by teachers in the classroom.
It seems to me that the ability to use audio and video, as well as share links and screenshots make Skype one of the best free web applications to improve student access to teachers and their learning.
Why Skype Is The Most Valuable Tool I Use
It has recently occured to me that a tool I really take for granted is certainly the most important in my current teaching practice. Ive been utilising Skype now for well over a year since making the switch from MSN.
After signing up I logged on in class and showed the students how I could make calls for free to other skype accounts, I then wowed them when I rang the school office asking to speak to the principal.
Now it was no suprise that as soon as I got home a heap of the students had downloaded skype and added me to their contact lists. Word soon spread throughout the student cohort that ‘Skype Was Cool’ and before long the majority of my students were online.
Anyway below is a chat transcript from a senior student in my Outdoor & Environmental Studies subject which occurred at 9.30pm. Without skype and instant messaging how else would she have been able to seek an answer so quickly?
Read more at mrrobbo.wordpress.com
