Journal 9: Playing with Skype (NETS II & V)

Weller, T.(2010). Playing with skype. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25508&DirectListComboInd= 



Playing with Skype
This article was about a music teacher who incorporated technology into his everyday classroom and even their concerts. In his 8th grade general music class he used skype to connect with one of his colleagues who then talked about copyright laws, the music business, and even censorship. This then gave him the idea to "invite" composers to their concerts using Skype. All they had to do was make sure they had a really good connection and give the composers who were not on the school grounds instrusctions how to use Skype and they were set(the composers found Skype to be very easy to use). This was an amazing interaction with the audience and students with the composer. The composer was able to go into more detail about each song and gave some background so everyone could feel more connected to the song. The teacher likes using more technology in his class as long as it is benefitting the learning experience for the students and as he could see this definitely was. It also lead to on a normal day where the students could have a conversation with the person on the ther end of the web cam "call".

What other ways can Skype be used in the classroom?
Just to touch briefly on virtual field trips that use something similar to skyp but more extensive.  Skype can be used for many things in the class. If a student is gone for an extended amount of time, like if they were in the hospital, and they could chat with the other students to get caught up on homework and the like. Another cool way would be to just contact other experts in other fields such as math, language arts, or even artists.

Should there be an age requirement?
 Truthfully, I think so because what if these students go home and use it on their own computer with people they don't know. It is important to teach safety as well, but they younger students might not realize the danger they are putting themselves in so an age requirement to incorporate in the class might be a good idea.