Skype is one of the most popular communication tools used by people all over the world. It allows users to make voice calles, video conference, transfer files, and send instant messages over the Internet for free. Anyone who has Internet access can use this software to interact with others. Incorporating Skype into classroom settings will benefit both teachers and students in many ways. One example is to implement the system in a foreign language class. Since Skype can be used to connect with people all over the world, students of a foreign language class can spend some time during class talking to people from France, Japan, or Russia. This will greatly help enhance their listening and speaking skills.
There are, however, some limitations of using Skype in a classroom setting. One would be that the school has to provide a sufficient number of comuputers with Internet access in order to incorporate Skype into the school curriculum. This may be a problem in small schools with not enough fund to meet the needs of the students. In addition, since each student has a computer with the Internet access in front of them, it might distract them from focusing on their work.
I really like your idea for using Skype in foreign language classrooms. This could help students to not only hear a native speaker (if their teacher is not native) but also to possibly see some of the culture of the area in which the guest was from. It is very important to consider financial resources when suggesting ways classrooms could implement technology such as Skype. For us at the University of Michigan, the resources seem virtually endless. However many schools are not as lucky to be able to incorporate learning aids such as Skype into their own classrooms.
ReplyDeleteUsing Skype to talk to people of a foreign language is a really cool idea. I can definitely see that being a real possibility as schools begin to adopt new technology's such as webcams. It kind of brings the study-abroad aspect of learning a language to the student without ever leaving their chair. It would be cheap and fun too. As for computer limitations, like you said, there could be some issues for smaller schools, but large institutions such as U of M shouldn't have an issue. In fact pretty much every school Mac on campus has an iSight camera built in.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the fact that using Skype to talk to people of a foreign language is a great idea. It gives people opportunity to view other aspects such as study-abroad aspect of learning a language to the student. People can just communicate through webcam is very interesting. Because they do this with technology, it won't be as expensive as if you would actually travel.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting idea. I think it would have been beneficial to my Spanish class in high school if I could have spoken to someone who spoke Spanish fluently and authentically. An additional issue that may prevent the incorporation of Skype into the classroom setting is the time difference that exists between the countries. The time difference would make it difficult to speak with people who live in places such as China.
ReplyDeleteI think the point you made about using skype for foreign languages is very unique. Too often, there are teachers and graduate students who teach languages with a heavy accent, which places students in a position of being unused to a native speakers accent and speaking nuances. Through skype, they would be able to interact with native speakers, and maybe even both parties could learn from each other being connected internationally.
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