Skype

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Benefits of Skype in the Classroom

Skype is having a spoken conversation with (someone) over the Internet with the use of a webcam.

Technology at this time within a classroom is very crucial for a young student to understand and grasp. As many teachers slowly begin to understand this concept, more and more are bringing it into their classroom. For example, technology in which they feel comfortable with. For example this might be technology that certain teachers use outside of the classroom, such as their IPad’s or other apple products. Teachers may be using all types of technology that could be beneficial to bring to their classroom but are maybe too nervous and are not comfortable to change up their classroom and steer away from the traditional set up.  One in particular goes by the name of Skype. Skype is a form of communicate through a webcam to anyone around the world, This type of technology is very useful and beneficial to a classroom, because it can help students communicate with one another, whether that be a one-to-one, or a between the entire class and someone outside the class. This allows for the students to join and get together in order to discuss something without them or even having to leave their house own house. This is also a unique form of technology in which can be used in a classroom, because the teacher can also join in on this Skype conversation if the students have any last minute questions about a project or homework that is due. This is an easy face-to-face way of communicating with one another and it also provides for a visual aid in which the teacher can show their students a specific way in which they want something to be done on the project. This also helps for homework because it allows for students to be able to have a teacher go and work through a problem or answer a question they may have visually, rather than trying to describe it over an email. This allows for a better understanding from both the teacher and the students because the teachers can see by their students facial expressions whether they actually get it or not and also by their work if they show it on the webcam.  Skype allows students and teachers an easy access to jump on and start communicating within two minutes. Skype is also great for guest speakers, in which you can find my clicking on the hyperlink. You can connect with anyone in the world that you want to and simply communicate with him or her face to face by the power of the Internet. This allows for the students to have access to a guest speaker in a subject or a current topic they are learning about or are studying in school and be able to ask and get answers to any questions they have from an expert. Along with this idea, you can also connect and Skype with different classrooms around the world as well as being able to get exposed to many different types of diverse backgrounds and ways of learning as well. Skype is also good for this because it exposes the students to be able to see and experience the different classrooms that may look way different than of the traditional classroom from which the students are used to, which really bends the minds of these students and takes them out of their comfort. Lastly, by using Skype in the classroom this further prepares the students for their future in which they are going to be exposed to a greater amount of technology. This is important especially if they want to be a teacher in their future, they need to know how important technology is in this world and how much more it will revolve around it in the future. Over all, there are many different types of technologies that should be and are used in the classroom, but the main one that I think benefits the students and the teachers the most is Skype.