The Pros, the Cons and Assessing...
Disadvantages...and Advantages: Support Teaching & Learning
Skype in the Classroom & Google Earth
We'll start with Skype because I believe it holds the most probably 'computer' disadvantages when it comes to the two technologies. While I fully support both within a classroom, I also believe it is high practical to consider what could go wrong and look at ways to minimize the risk of such things happening and ways in which to do so.
We'll start with Skype because I believe it holds the most probably 'computer' disadvantages when it comes to the two technologies. While I fully support both within a classroom, I also believe it is high practical to consider what could go wrong and look at ways to minimize the risk of such things happening and ways in which to do so.
- Hardware may be an issue for some schools. While you may have access to one or more computers, you’ll need a webcam and a microphone for the Skype call (Yale 2009);
- Transmissions can be lost or unstable which can be a time loss issue as well as the possibility of not having the call go ahead at all during the ICT session (Yale 2009);
- The video option isn’t an option once there are more than a couple of people logged into the Skype conference (K-12 Techsters 2010) so the lesson plan was created to allow the students to take in turns in front of the camera;
- There is also the possibility that the programs may be blocked by internet safety protocols (K12 Techsters 2010), so it is extremely important that before any of the lessons are run that the programs are installed and run by the IT department or the equivalent in the school;
- There is a possibility of a clash with any programs that also use a webcam so make sure that you close down any programs that may have Skype throwing a computer ‘temper tantrum';
- While Skype are efficient with their work on security, just make sure to take precautions with saving any information on the web that you would not like other schools to see. However, Skype in the classroom has been set up for school use – and therefore security is regularly updated;
- Students may become excited at the prospect and attention may be scattered (I have listed a few techniques that can be used to keep the students on task in the lesson plan but I'm positive you all have your own little tricks of the trade);
- If you don't enough room for all the students to sit together try organise a laptop with projector and use a space such as the library for the purpose of this task. Have the student write (in come literacy!) their locations down and place them on Google Earth following the Skype call;
- A few Google Earth places can't be seen as clearly and may become pixelated on closer look so checking out places the students will be covering in advance would be a good suggestion;
- And there is a small risk (as with any computer connected to the internet) of viruses or Trojans however this is something that must be mentioned so make sure your school has virus protection software installed!
- The use of Skype in the Classroom can allow multiple classes to collaborate on a joint research project, allowing information that would otherwise be limited by what’s online already, or what could be out dated in text books, available to the classes;
- You have the option of bringing specialists such as authors (K-12 Techsters 2010) to speak to the students without being limited to what’s available in your local community. For example, have a specialist who works internationally speak to the students directly about what they do, rather than just work off research materials;
- Experience another culture directly by connection to students in a classroom from that culture (K-12 Techsters 2010). Instead of experiencing that culture through books, paper maps and objects brought in, allow the students the opportunity to ask people from another culture the questions they want to know and see it for themselves on Google Earth;
- “Attend a webinar with your students raise global awareness” (K-12 Techsters 2010);
- Learn about geography from students living in an area you are studying or virtual exploration to places they may not ever get to visit;
- The students could conduct interviews for a topic they are studying with a person of interest;
- Hold book discussions with another class studying the same book to get different teaching perspectives and student opinions;
- Create pod- and screencasts with students from other parts of the world (K-12 Techsters 2010);
- Both programs are cost efficient and is easy enough to use, with instructions for both accessible;
- Your students could create virtual presentations for students in other schools (perhaps rural schools where they have limited resources or compare landmarks that each believe might be important to the other);
- If a student goes abroad on exchange or extended holiday, have them report live to the class about their experiences;
- Less materials required for teacher preparation;
- Students are engaged and participate in their own learning rather than always being guided by the teacher;
- Students work at a pace that they can handle (for example, with placing the landmarks) and you can then assess the students level of comprehension, ability to follow instructions or capacity to collaborate information;
- Broaden students horizons and knowledge past what is around them physically;
- And students can learn from other students their age!
