Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Thing # 15

Skype is an online application that has many potentially effective uses in the classroom. It would be a wonderful tool for allowing students to visit with an author in another city or state, in order to ask questions about a book they have been reading, about the process of becoming an author, and about steps taken to create the book they have read. This chat can be saved for later review and discussion, which is a beneficial component missing from traditional author visits to schools.

Also, I like the idea of using Skype to bring a field trip to the classroom, in cases where the students are not able to actually travel away from the school due to budgetary constraints or other hindrances. This would be a great way to take a virtual field trip to the zoo or even to NASA.

Finally, I loved the idea of using Skype as a means of receiving after-school help. Teachers, tutors, or librarians could be available at set times throughout the afternoon to help students who are struggling understand the concepts presented during the school day through Skype, without having to actually be present with the students. It seems as though there are countless uses for this tool in the classroom!

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