Skype: The future of education?

Towards the end of this semester in Paideia we have had a few classes that involve skype calls. I couldn't help but think, is this the future of education?

How can this technology change our schools? We now have access to teachers literally anywhere in the world. And, not only can we communicate with them, we can SEE them! For me these two skype conversations were some of the most interesting days I had in Paideia 2.

Most recently we skyped with Luther grads who are teaching abroad in places around the world. My group discussed music and philosophy of education with a teacher in Seoul, Korea. We learned about why she decided to go abroad and how her experience has been in a different country. What this opportunity gave me though, was an insight into the real world. I was sitting in my classroom at Luther college, but hearing from people who are 'out there'. She was in the real world, Teaching!

Upon some simple follow-up research, I learned it is possible to connect with other classrooms through websites using skype. ePALS is one such organization of classrooms. Visit ePALS here to find out more. However, it is always valuable to use this tool on a local basis as well to connect with other schools in your area.

The following is a list I found on how students can use skype in the classroom.
From: http://novemberlearning.com/resources/handouts/using-skype/

Using Skype With Students

• Have foreign language students participate in Skype conversations with students from other countries.
• Allow students who are working on a collaborative project participate in a conference call from various locations.
• Use Skype to exchange documents with project partners.
• Have students present their work to an authentic audience, for example, presentations to other classrooms around the world or professionals in their community.
• Let parents listen in on their child’s presentation.
• Try setting up interviews with an author whose book your class is reading. Send an invitation to the author inviting him to join Skype and talk to your class.
• Invite a guest speaker to talk to your class via Skype.

This possibility of using skype as a learning tool still needs to be explored, but I find the idea very intriguing and I think skype will be a learning tool in most classrooms of the future!