Skype

Hello Families,

We had our first Skype call with a class from North Carolina this morning. It was very interesting - we were able to see each other, ask questions and discuss some of the similarities and differences between our schools and our locations. We also spoke with a school from Alabama and 2 teachers from Vancouver Island. There were things I would change about the way it all happened, but in general it was a good first experience.

Some of you have written me to ask about Skype. It works like a phone, but with the optionof having video as well, like th TV phones we imagined when we were little. It is an application that allows us to have video, audio and text communication, as well as send and receive files. It is free when you call computer to computer, but costs money if you call computer to a phone.

It has a great deal of potential, not only for personal but for school uses. Students who are absent could still participate using Skype from home, as could students away on vacation. I know of teachers who have used Skype for university courses, making it unnecessary to travel long distances or leave home in bad weather. It allows us to connect with people over any distance for any number of purposes, for free.

You can find more information at his site:
www.skype.com

If you join, let me know and I can add you to my contacts.

Best,
Kathy Napier