Camilla Elliott's List: Skype in Education

Increasingly, educators globally are transforming their classroom using Skype to create powerful, authentic, motivating learning experiences for their students.
From connecting with classrooms in other locations to learning about each others' culture to connecting with content experts - educators are extending learning beyond classroom walls. So how do you use Skype effectively with your class?

Educator, Shelly Terrell -  Skype is one of the top tools I introduce to teachers, administrators, and my students. This tool has tremendous learning potential, is free, easy to use, and has incredible buy-in.

Silvia Tolisan presents a practical description of the value of Skype as an authentic tool for learning.

Classroom teachers can leverage the potential of disruptive technologies like Skype, weblogs, podcasts, or one to one technology immersion initiatives to increase student motivation to communicate with authentic audiences, spend more time on assigned tasks, and develop essential literacy skills needed for vocational and lifetime success in the twenty-first century.

Wouldn't it be great to invite authors into your classroom or library to video chat with students before, during, and/or after reading their books? We are growing a list of authors who want to make that connection with you via Skype.

With Skype, students can learn from other students, connect with other cultures, and expand their knowledge in amazing ways. Teachers and parents can also benefit from Skype in the classroom

This is a group for anyone interested in developing some basic standards and curriculum around global awareness

On this page, Wes provides resources for global collaboration.  Skype is one of the tools he uses.  Some other options are noted here.  This page is only updated to August 2010 but contains some valuable resources.

Discussion from teachers as to how they are using Skype in their classrooms

Skype will allow you to:
network with other instructional technology teachers
connect students with experts worldwide
connect students who are learning similar & related content
allow parents to see their students presenting
allow students who are absent a chance to participate
allow teams of teachers to meet virtually
allow administrators to connect with classrooms from their office
become the "teacher as facilitator"

On this link from Curtin University is a newsletter to assist teachers using Skype in the classroom.   It provides information on how to get started and outline possible uses of Skype™ in learning and teaching environments.

Skype in the classroom is a free community to help teachers everywhere use Skype to help their students learn. It’s a place for teachers to connect with each other, find partner classes and share inspiration. This is a global initiative that was created in response to the growing number of teachers using Skype in their classrooms.

Presentation by Josh Allen, Instructional Technology Facilitator.  This Slideshare presentation has explanatory notes to support the slides.  Good overview.