Journal #4 - Playing with Skype - NETS-T 5c (for all journals) - NETS-T 3b (article focus)

Weller, T. J. (2010). Playing with skype. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.learingandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100304#pg30

NETS-T - 5c - ENGAGE IN PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND LEADERSHIP
- evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning

I am a member of ISTE, and reading/evaluating various journal articles helps me discover emerging digital tools that can be used in the classroom to support student learning.

ARTICLE FOCUS: NETS-T 3b - MODEL DIGITAL-AGE WORK AND LEARNING
- collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation

The article uses Skype.com to collaborate with community members (experts) virtually to support student success. The teacher collaborates with experts in a particular field virtually, and students benefit from the knowledge that is shared by the experts. This might help motivate students to become innovative thinkers especially in regards to the topic addressed by the expert.

This article summary was written directly onto a "new post" on my blog using the Blogger tool.

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This article discusses the concept of using the Skype.com to connect on the Internet with people who are experts in a particular area and invite them into your classroom virtually. The author invited various musicians and composers into his music classroom ensembles. His students directed questions to the expert, and the expert was able to give answers immediately. The teacher also set up a concert where some music experts appeared live to introduce their various musical pieces to the audience via audio feeds, webcams, microphones, a sound system, a projector screen, a data projector and the Internet connection. Weller feels that education is shifting markedly in terms of the utilization of technology that can bring experts into the classroom. He notes that with this new technology, the teacher is not viewed as the sole expert in terms of knowledge in all content areas. He encourages to reach out and fully grasp this new technology that allows for experts in multiple areas to enter the classroom via the Internet. I think this technology would be fantastic for any classroom. A teacher could get an expert in science, math, language arts etc. to increase the amount of core knowledge students receive in any one particular area. Plus, having access to an expert in an area might spur the students to pursue a career in that area.



Question #1: Should the possible difficulty in arranging for an expert to appear live dissuade an educator from using Skype?

While if might prove impossible to arrange for a famous expert to agree to share their knowledge with your students live, it is still worth pursuing this form of technology for classroom use. There are many experts in a wide variety of fields that would be more than happy to share their expertise with students. They would love to provide inspiration and motivation for students to possibly pursue careers in their specialty.

Question #2: Why aren't more teachers utilizing Skype to bring expert into their classrooms?

Many teachers may be unaware that this technology and Skype exists. Also, some educators are afraid of technology and refuse to incorporate it into their curriculum. Lastly, there are teachers who are resistant to change and prefer to remain in their comfort zone utilizing the same methods of teaching the California standards that they have used for years.