Skype in the classroom

When I was in middle school, and even most of high school now that I think about it, the most technology we had were overhead projectors, computer labs with outdated machines, and the occasional movie on a non-flat screen TV. We took very few fieldtrips throughout each year and had little to no contact with anyone outside our own school. Now, with the onset of Skype, kids can easily connect to and learn with other classrooms all over the world, without having to leave the building.

Just like you use Skype to connect with friends, family, and co-workers over the internet, Skype in the Classroom is a new tool that teachers can use to find other teachers who are taking advantage of Skype in their classrooms. Having just launched its beta version this past December, Skype in the Classroom has already achieved a global community of more than 3,900 teachers across 99 countries.

Skype brings the world to the classroom

Think about all the amazing opportunities this technology could give to young students, especially those who would otherwise never get the chance to leave the classroom. Now, teachers can easily search the directory for other educators based on the age groups they teach, location, and subjects of interest. All they need to do is set up a free account, create a profile, and start searching!

Skype in the Classroom makes it possible for students to be connected to a wider range of guest speakers and fieldtrip locations without having to make much of an effort. Imagine how much more students could learn from speaking a foreign language directly with other children their own age in another continent, or experiencing first hand the culture of another country. The possibilities are endless, and yet there are so many more countries still left to sign up.

I would have loved to have this kind of opportunity while in school, not only as an exposure to new experiences and other cultures, but also as a way to make the classroom more lively and interesting. When asked the age-old question “What did you learn today, honey?” by their parents, kids will now be able to say, “We went to Italy…or Columbia…or Japan!” You know, I’m jealous!

To learn more about Skype in the Classroom, please visit education.skype.com

Evann McGrory is an intern with Mom Central.

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