Journal #9- NETS I, III, & V

Weller, Travis. "Playing With Skype." L & L 37.6 (2010). Retrieved 24 Apr 2010 from: http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25508&DirectListComboInd.

In the article, “Playing With Skype”, written by: Travis J. Weller, Weller discusses the incredible digital experience Skype has to offer. In the article, Weller talks about a community college in Pennsylvania, and how they used Skype to conduct a live concert band for whoever desired to watch it. Weller explains that one of his friends: Joseph M. Pisano, had helped him with this brilliant idea, and making it all come together. The equipment requirements were very minimal, and ended up being a very successful event. According to Weller, “Skype makes it possible for educators to seek out experts in their subject areas and invite them to share in the classroom or the rehearsal hall”.




Question #1: What is a way I could implement Skype into my future classroom?

As a future educator, and from experience, I can definitely say that sometime in the future, school is going to be all based on technology. In one of my internet Spanish classes last semester, my professor was always available to skype, to get extra help or to just ask a simple question. I thought this was such a good idea; I felt as though I was in the classroom, and actually interacting with my professor. I feel that somehow implementing Skype into my classroom is a very good idea. However, it may be a little more difficult with elementary school levels, but at the speed our society is going, nothing is impossible when it comes to technology nowadays.

Question #2: What is a con of having something such as Skype, available to your students?

Having Skype available to students, can result in social interaction, rather than academic interaction during class time. I also feel that sometimes it is better to learn directly, rather than using Skype, with other students and/or the teacher.