The+Hype+About+Skype

=Brian Mull= //Director of Research and Content Development, November Learning, New Orleans, LA//
 * The Hype About Skype**

was the buzzword of this conference. People were using

during keynote presentations,

during workshops,

with people in the same room. I heard the term 'chatcast' – recording a Skype conversation and publishing it or a [|transcript] of it. When I asked other people what they wanted to take home and use in their schools Skype was the #1 answer. I was looking forward to finding out about this telephone/teleconference substitute from Brian Mull. The session was packed – standing room only. Skype offers free software that lets you talk by way of the internet to another Skype user, anywhere in the world, for free. Your computer works as your phone. The installation and use sounded pretty straightforward to me. Your computer must be turned on to use Skype, and people you call must have Skype running on their system in order to receive your call. Technically, a dial-up connection will work, but realistically you need broadband to really enjoy Skype. You should invest in a headset – less distraction for others. Get a web camera, too, if you’re not a Mac user. Brian showed the use of Skype for helping a homebound student to participate in [|classroom] discussions and activities. We then watched as Brian connected to a mobile phone user on a jet waiting for takeoff. Amazing!