Before I left for my freshmen year in college I decided to create a Skype account. I thought it would be a great to keep in touch with high school friends and family. Its straightforward setup process and free of charge policy enticed me and helped me realize its services were practical and convenient. While I merely created an account for personal interest, Skype is a program that could greatly enhance the classroom. Many classes, whether foreign language, history, or art, could benefit from communicating with students from different universities or even nations. Curriculum could be diversified and students could enjoy interacting with peers from different locations. Another format in which Skype could benefit the classroom is the thought of utilizing Skype to continue the concept of a classroom. I know that many students have difficulties trying to reach their professor’s office hours, perhaps if professors had open Skype hours students would be able to have more questions answered.
Although the benefits of employing Skype within a classroom are plentiful, they would be accompanied with difficulties as well. The main source of problems would be within the technical difficulties students would encounter. At times the wireless Internet systems can be unpredictable thus causing many lapses within Skype. Another setback may include the amount of time spent in the classroom solely fixing problems related to Skype. Classrooms would benefit little if the entire class period was spent adjusting technological difficulties. Although, in my opinion the benefits outweigh the setbacks and it can be predicted that over the next decade many classrooms will utilize the amenities of Skype.
When we were given the Blogger question in Thursday's class, I also immediately thought about "Skype hours". I think this could definitely help students get feedbacks or answers to any questions they might have without having to travel to professor's office only during certain scheduled time. Whenever students have short questions, they could easily see if the professor is online and ask questions. Like you said, there could be technical problems, but I believe that nowadays, those problems can be easily solved with advanced technology.
ReplyDeleteI think that Skype office hours is one of the best applications of the website that I have read so far. I rarely use office hours for a variety of classes, but if I had access to my teacher's knowledge without having to leave my room, I would surely take advantage of that. Also in your first paragraph you discuss connecting classrooms and people all over the world. I have a Polish friend who has Skype mainly for this reason, to stay in touch with his family in Europe. Taking this idea and expanding it to academics is very clever.
ReplyDeleteMy computer didn't want me to comment on your blog post at first, but I'm going to make it work.
ReplyDeleteSkype hours has a nice ring to it. I cannot even imagine how much more convenient it would be to meet with a GSI or prof via video chat. However, some elements of the traditional office hours would be absent. When working on a problem that involved steps/drawings/diagrams etc., it can be difficult to understand concepts without the piece of paper physically in front of you while the instructor guides you through it. I would also imagine that it would be difficult for Isabel to assist us without having a physical copy of our paper in front of us. Nonetheless, I love your idea of Skype hours!