Skype and the Newbie
July 24, 2007 by Kitty Forbus
I promised myself and my audience that I would take it slow with the technical stuff and the blog. I want you readers (the two or so that there are) to keep me in check on that one. Not that I feel I have mastered blogging, far from it! I just wanted to take on another Web 2.0 tool before the new school year begins. I want to present my teachers with a few “tricks in the bag” so to speak. However, I know I have to be careful not to overwhelm them. Far too often, I think we as teachers are presented with too much “wow” and not enough time to master what we have been shown. The end result is frustration, failure, and, and no implementation. That having been said, my latest undertaking was Skype. (Just in case you’re wondering I think I’ll be podcasting next.) I went to WalMart and bought a Logitech webcam for $24.88 plus tax. Ialso bought a set of headphones with a microphone just in case I needed them. I know my laptop has built in speakers and a microphone, but I wanted to be prepared for anything once I started. I’ll be honest and tell you that it took me an entire morning to set it all up. I had to load software, disable my antivirus and spyware programs, read directions, configure a few setting on my computer, and such. However, I was ready to take and make calls by lunchtime - so I thought. I had prearranged with Cathy Nelson to test my Skyping skills today. She called me first on Skype. but I missed her call trying to figure out how to answer her. I called her back and we began our conversation. I could both see and hear her! She, however, could only hear me. I fiddled around a bit and eventually got the video feed going. I think it was a permanent fix, but I’ll have to test it on another call. The end result, my first Skype call. Thanks, Cathy for being my guinea pig!
I think I still need to work a bit on the audio from my end. The headphones didn’t exactly work right, or maybe it was my failure to do something correctly. I could hear the audio coming from the computer rather than the headphones, but Cathy could hear me best through the headphone microphone. I’ll stay at it until I figure it out. After all, this is a learning process.
So, where do I go from here? Two teachers from other schools within my county want to learn to Skype, too. We’re already planning how we can connect our students and present them with a project or two. Of course we as the teachers have to become comfortable with it first. I’m off to a good start anyway.
As a side note, here’s a picture of myself that I took with my new webcam. Oh, the fun never ends!
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Sounds like you are well on your way!! I have had Skype for two years ( I still can’t believe it’s been that long) and I have yet to use it AT SCHOOL. Now I’m motivated to find an application for school use!! I know I told you a few options for uses today, but I couldn’t honestly say I had done any of it. I’ve been in skype conversations with a few “experts” for professional development (like Alan November (yes really!) and Chris Craft. I’ve had lots of Skyped conversations with my family (I have three brothers and sisters, all who are now skyping.) Beyond that the rest have been skype chats, which you will have to try out too. When I was raving about “virtually” attending BLC, it was through Skypechats, and there were MANY experts in that, like Will Richardson, Ewan McIntosh, David Jakes, Joyce Valenza, Barbara Bareda, Darren Drape,…this list goes on and on. My friend emailed me today to say that Joyce Valenza mentions me in the SLJ blog!! She knows me from NECC and the Skypechats from BLC! How cool is that? Here is a link to a picture of David Jakes “over the should shot.” He is skypechatting during BLC, and I’m the third contact on his list in this picture!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/wrichard/854198246/
Here is the SLJ Blog Link. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1340000334.html
[...] embarrassed! But she bounced back with some really good ideas, which she posted here in her blog, Stirring up the Dust. I may use some of your ideas Kitty! Just as I’ve been a help to her in some respects, she is [...]
I love Skype! Now if I could only get my family up and running I would love it even more. The three of us are going to have to set up a time to Skype together. My Skype is mmiller7571. I sometimes forget to sign off and I appear available and I am not really there. Isn’t that funny? You will be glad you got the headphones and mic. It drives my husband nuts when he is listening to our conversations :):):) Have fun playing around and invite me to your skype and we can all chat.