Skype

= Communication Tool: Skype = Group Members: Chara and Danielle and Matt



Introduction
According to the PC Magazine Online Internet Encycopedia, **Skype** is an Internet telephone and videophone service, which originally began as 'Skype Limited', Luxembourg.' As a software based product, it enables calls from all **Skype** subscribers via their computers, or other technological equipment, to communicate as though making a telephone call. It also allows video conferencing, online messaging or text messaging directly to cellphones. All computer-to-computer calls between subscribers are free, including video conferencing. However communication to regular telephones known as "**SkypeOut**," requires a low per-minute charge. "**SkypeIn**" lets people worldwide call a Skype subscriber from a regular telephone by dialing a local **Skype** phone number.

**Advantages of Skype**


 * Skype** is efficient. As this is a software, it can be downloaded onto any machine or gadget that enables access to the internet. For example many people who use cellphones may choose to use this instead of relying on a stationary computer or carrying a cumbersome laptop.

Communication is made more accessible, and thereby effective because it is cheap (mostly free) to use. This lack of expense enables more people to interact, share, and create knowledge more frequently, thus bridging gaps between countries and cultures.

This is an effortless piece of equipment to use. As a teacher it can be a great resource for helping students access peer groups in other countries, experience other cultures outside of the classroom, interview or take part in conferences, participate while away, or work with friends outside of the classroom.

Users can take snap shots of video conferences, or save written messages, for easy referal at a later point. This is helpful if students or teachers want to recap on project work or homework.

If you choose to use your computer speakers rather than a head set, then anyone in the room can hear and take part in the **Skype** interaction. This allows multiple people to take part in the conversation.

**Disadvantages of Skype**

 * Skype** is not always entirely free, and one needs access to an internet line. Equipment such as headphones or a camera are needed in order to communicate. Communication relies on the reliability of internet cables, and that equipment works well.

Often with so many people accessing this equipment at the same time, the quality of images, or voice can be problematic. **Skype** through landlines with other countries can be the worst (through personal experience). Sound quality of conversations has been reported to not meet the same standards of landline or mobile phones, particularly when a webcam is involved. There are problems with unwanted background noise, and the service can be subject to dropping calls. Considering these factors, **Skype** may sometimes not be efficient or effective for lessons.

Application of Skype in Art Education
We, as art teachers, could use **Skype** as a way of collaborating with other students in another part of the world. We could use it as a way of putting together a group critique, an online collaborative exhibition, or to teach a unit with another teacher in another school simultaneously, thereby experiencing multicultural or cross cultural exchanges. Students could also create portraits of one another through live video conferencing and then produce an online exhibition.

This first video "How to Use Skype" is a visual tutorial that takes you through a step by step process of downloading the software from the internet to your computer. It shows the uses of the program's different functions, and how to make a video phonecall from start to end. This is highly basic, with no sound.

media type="youtube" key="biayrX6Toz8" height="327" width="534"

This tutorial shows how to make **Skype** calls via cellphones, such as an iPod touch. This video also gives you a number to call to get around paying for landline calls.

Useful Resources
[|Skype Community]


 * The official **Skype** forum, where you can ask questions and explore a plethora of related information.

[|PC Mag on Skype]


 * PC Magazine's Encyclopedia entry on **Skype**

[|Skype Support]


 * **Skype**'s Help Page

[|Skype in the Classroom]


 * Example of an art teacher who used **Skype** with her students

[|Skype Lesson Plan]


 * A lesson plan on using **Skype** for secondary education.