Despite some of the advantages created by Skype, the idea of using the program in classrooms is laced with a myriad of problems. One obvious disadvantage during our use of the program in class was the sound quality as the teacher had trouble hearing most of the students speak. Communication is in general more difficult when trying to speak to a video screen rather than an actually person as one cannot also enjoy many of its basic aspects, which includes eye contact. Another problem it creates is the elimination of privacy as a student could not ask a question without having the entire class hear it or the answer. Taking the teacher out of the classroom takes the personality out of the aspect of learning, which could easily take away from the quality of one's education.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Teaching With Skype
Teaching with Skype represents yet another way in which education is incorporating technology into the classroom and comes with numerous advantages. One such advantage is convenience as teachers can be in virtually any place, assuming they have a connection to the internet, while they teach their students, who eventually may not even need to leave their home but could rather sign onto their computer at home. Students would thus not be limited to the schools located near their house as they could be taught by instructors thousands of miles away. The program also allows teachers to multitask while they teach as they have spare time while the students are working on their assignments. As the program develops, many of these advantages will be enhanced while many more will become apparent.
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I like that you mentioned that there would be no privacy with Skype in the classroom. I had nnot though of that, but it would indeed be a significant failing. I am sure that fewer students would feel comfortable asking questions and there fore their learning would be hindered. This is a major failing of using Skype in the classroom. I also agree that using Skype would take the personality out of learning. Not having the professor in the room would greaty alter the atmosphere in the classroom and I believe that it would make it harder to learn.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the privacy issue as well. I had not thought about that, but you bring up a good point when you say that it restricts student privacy. Because of the camera, it discourages students from speaking up and asking questions, unless they are willing to let the whole class hear. Some matters are private between the student and the teacher, but if the teacher isn't there, the student has no way of asking without fear of being judged by his peers. I agree that this is detrimental to the overall learning experience and makes it harder to learn.
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