Skype

I found setting up a Skype account to be an interesting experience. Before taking this class, I already knew that Skype existed, but I had never used it before. My grandparents are in the process of setting up a Skype account as well. I hope that I can share with them what I learn about Skype. While setting up my account, I learned that talking Skype number to Skype number is free. Instant messaging is free as well; but calling to a land line, cell phone, or even text messaging costs money.

As a librarian, I could use Skype in a variety of ways:

1.  Author visits via Skype

As a school librarian, I think it would be extremely fun and exciting to use Skype to talk with authors. The kids would love it and it would be a new experience for them as well. To Skype with an author would definitely be cheaper than an in-person visit, and it could still be a fun and unique experience for everyone involved. Prices vary, but they can range from free for a twenty minute session to $300 for an hour to visit with an author. These visits are also more convenient for authors. There are websites with lists of authors who are willing to use Skype to do author visits.

 I learned from Kate Messner’s site that using Skype to do author visits is more practical for her, an author as well as middle school English teacher. She can do a Skype author visit from school for about half an hour before school. Then when her homeroom class comes in, she turns off her laptop. This is more realistic for Kate because she doesn’t have time to travel to do author visits because she has to teach; Skype makes it possible to do virtual author visits and the kids love it! Since it is cheaper, perhaps students will benefit from more author visits. Using Skype to video-conference with an author not only gives students a chance to meet an author, but it gets them excited about reading, which we, as librarians, promote, so this is great.

There are a few problems with Skype author visits though. There is not as much interpersonal interaction. Also, glitches, such as losing connection, can take place when we are relying on technology. Additionally, some schools have certain privacy issues that do not allow for Skype to be used.

2. Skype in the classroom

There are many different ways that Skype can be used in the classroom. Here are some ideas I got from the link 50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom: history lectures, guest lecturers, virtual fieldtrips, after-school help, learning how to illustrate, interviews, classmate joining the classroom from home, foreign culture lessons, conference with parents, and teacher collaboration. In addition to using some of these ideas in the library, I could suggest them to teachers to help enhance their teaching through Skype technology.

3. Skype a reference librarian

In one library there is a kiosk where people can Skype with a librarian. The kiosk has a webcam that allows them to immediately hook up with a librarian and get their questions answered. Using Skype to talk with a reference librarian seems most beneficial in a long-distance situation, but it could possibly be done from an elementary, middle, or high school classroom or computer lab. It might be just as easy to walk down to the library and talk with the librarian though.