Skype is an awesome learning tool
To succeed in what has seemingly overnight become a global marketplace, students need multidimensional learning for a multicultural world. Students in Doug Green's Valley Middle School Television (VMSTV) broadcast class are at the technological forefront of a unique tool that a small but savvy percentage of businesses and schools employ: Skype.
The word stems from the description of the process as “Sky Peer to Peer.” Skype software, which is compatible with both Mac and PC computers, enables free audio and video conferencing between people anywhere in the world. This cutting-edge technology is so popular among its users that the noun, Skype, has already become a verb: Skyping.
For Green and his class, Skype's myriad advantages are apparent. “The technology is free and extremely easy to use,” he said. Seeing Skype in action proves his point.
Samantha “screens” her class
The scene is sixth-period broadcast class. The VMSTV team is interviewing students of Valley Middle School math teacher Carleen Proctor, who was recently selected as Carlsbad Unified School District's 2010 Teacher of the Year.
The interviewer, Samantha Avalos, makes each interviewee feel comfortable. She greets them, establishes eye contact and an easy rapport, asks incisive questions and follows up on their responses. When the brief interview is complete, she thanks the student and proceeds to the next interview.
What's amazing about this scenario is that Samantha is not performing these interviews from school, but from home, where she is battling an extended illness. She and her interview subjects see each other with full clarity; she views them on the webcam connected to her computer, and her classmates view her on a large classroom screen.
The audio is as phenomenal as the video. Conversations ensue in a normal speaking voice.
Samantha knew Skype would help her keep up with her classes. “When I knew I'd be out of school for a while, I asked Mr. Green if I could Skype the class,” she said. “It's nice to be able to 'step into' class. I feel like I'm here with everyone.”
Her classmates enjoy remaining connected with Samantha. Many say they use Skype at home.
Some students have used it to keep faraway family members close by. “My family stayed in touch with my dad when he was deployed to Afghanistan for two years,” Brett Engberg said. “I use it to talk with my relatives in Brazil,” says Juliana McDonald.
Doug Green confided a more mundane, but no less endearing purpose. “I've even used it to keep tabs on my dog,” he said.
And why not? It may be one of the best doggone educational tools available to man or beast!
To keep up to date on District doings, follow Dr. Roach at www.twitter.com/SuptRoach.
Calavera Hills Elementary Third-Graders Skype with Owl Man
Calavera Hills Elementary third-graders in teachers Kris Hejny and Heather Goetz's class recently used Skype to chat with Carlos Royal, owner of the San Marcos barn home of world-famous Molly the Owl and her owlets. Their school conversation with the Owl Barn was taped by a CBS correspondent on April 6 for airing on the “Early Show” later that month. You can watch it at
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/6007396.
To succeed in what has seemingly overnight become a global marketplace, students need multidimensional learning for a multicultural world. Students in Doug Green's Valley Middle School Television (VMSTV) broadcast class are at the technological forefront of a unique tool that a small but savvy percentage of businesses and schools employ: Skype.
The word stems from the description of the process as “Sky Peer to Peer.” Skype software, which is compatible with both Mac and PC computers, enables free audio and video conferencing between people anywhere in the world. This cutting-edge technology is so popular among its users that the noun, Skype, has already become a verb: Skyping.
For Green and his class, Skype's myriad advantages are apparent. “The technology is free and extremely easy to use,” he said. Seeing Skype in action proves his point.
Samantha “screens” her class
The scene is sixth-period broadcast class. The VMSTV team is interviewing students of Valley Middle School math teacher Carleen Proctor, who was recently selected as Carlsbad Unified School District's 2010 Teacher of the Year.
The interviewer, Samantha Avalos, makes each interviewee feel comfortable. She greets them, establishes eye contact and an easy rapport, asks incisive questions and follows up on their responses. When the brief interview is complete, she thanks the student and proceeds to the next interview.
What's amazing about this scenario is that Samantha is not performing these interviews from school, but from home, where she is battling an extended illness. She and her interview subjects see each other with full clarity; she views them on the webcam connected to her computer, and her classmates view her on a large classroom screen.
The audio is as phenomenal as the video. Conversations ensue in a normal speaking voice.
Samantha knew Skype would help her keep up with her classes. “When I knew I'd be out of school for a while, I asked Mr. Green if I could Skype the class,” she said. “It's nice to be able to 'step into' class. I feel like I'm here with everyone.”
Her classmates enjoy remaining connected with Samantha. Many say they use Skype at home.
Some students have used it to keep faraway family members close by. “My family stayed in touch with my dad when he was deployed to Afghanistan for two years,” Brett Engberg said. “I use it to talk with my relatives in Brazil,” says Juliana McDonald.
Doug Green confided a more mundane, but no less endearing purpose. “I've even used it to keep tabs on my dog,” he said.
And why not? It may be one of the best doggone educational tools available to man or beast!
To keep up to date on District doings, follow Dr. Roach at www.twitter.com/SuptRoach.
Calavera Hills Elementary Third-Graders Skype with Owl Man
Calavera Hills Elementary third-graders in teachers Kris Hejny and Heather Goetz's class recently used Skype to chat with Carlos Royal, owner of the San Marcos barn home of world-famous Molly the Owl and her owlets. Their school conversation with the Owl Barn was taped by a CBS correspondent on April 6 for airing on the “Early Show” later that month. You can watch it at
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/6007396.