Skype: Bringing the World to Your Classroom

Mid-South Tech ConferenceDecember 10, 2009

First Things First:Getting Skype into Your

Classroom

Skype will not download in Memphis City Schools and possibly in several other districts.

As an alternative, you can run it completely from your USB flash drive.

Only requires about 25 MB of storage space on your flash drive.

Making Skype Portable

http://www.von-phone.com/portable-skype.php

On your home computer, download and install Skype. http://www.skype.com

Find the skype.exe file where it installed.

On your USB drive, create a folder and name it “Skype”.

Copy skype.exe into “Skype”.

Inside the Skype folder, create a folder and name it “Data”.

Making Skype Portable (cont.)

Create a new file in Notepad, and name it “skype.bat”.

In this text file, add the following text:

skype.exe /datapath:”Data” /removable

Save it inside the Data folder, and exit Notepad.

Now Skype is portable for any PC.

Your call history, account settings, and other personal Skype settings stay on your USB flash drive not on the computer.

An Alternative: USB Skype Memory Phone

from Von-Phone

•Plug and Play•No need to install Skype on PC•Currently $29.95

http://www.von-phone.com/usb_skype_memory_phone.php

Must Haves

Webcam

Microphone

Speakers

High Speed Internet Connection

Someone to call

Who Can I Call?

Like-minded educators http://www.epals.com/

People willing to Skype into your classroom. http://www.skypeforeducators.com/educators.htm

Authors http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6673572.html

People you already know—parents, grandparents, community members

Ideas for Skype

Support ESL students or foreign language learning

Pen Pals

Read Alouds

Real conversations with real experts

Collaboration without boundaries

Homework helper

Virtual Substitute—Monitor your class.

More information

http://theedublogger.com/want-to-connect-with-other-classrooms/

http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2006/10/using-skype-in-classroom-or-just.html

http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/skype-in-education

http://edtechteacher.org/skypetutorial.html

http://www.tutorpipe.com/home.php?sub=28#

More Information (cont.)

http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/using-skype-at-school.html

http://skypeinschools.pbworks.com/

http://annickpress.blogspot.com/2008/08/skype-tutorials-for-teachers-authors.html

http://skypejournal.com/