Emerging+Trends+Instruction+Application+-+Web+2.0+(Voice+Thread)

**Emerging Trends Web 2.0 Instruction: SKYP E **
 * __ Description: __** This is an introduction to a Web 2.0 tool called Skype. Skype is a tool that can be used as a source of communication with people all over the world. Skype offers many different services from making international phone calls at a free charge, instant messaging services, text messaging services, Skype mobile services, and video conferencing capabilities. Skype is free for Skype to Skype calling and runs very minimal fees for all other services. Skype services are becoming more and more popular for businesses, especially those who are international businesses. Skype is also very popular among the everyday person who may be trying to keep in touch with family members who may be a distance away whether moved away, away at college, or serving in the military. The possibilities for using Skype in the classroom are endless. Teachers can use Skype to bring field trips to their students when circumstances do not allow for them. Skype can also open doors for classes to communicate with students of other cultures all over the world or even to have interaction with other classes within their school or districts without having 50 or 60 students in one classroom. The possibilities are endless with Skype and the following voicethread will give you much more information regarding Skype as well as how the video conferencing portion of Skype works. There will also be some real life examples of Skype being used in the classroom.

**__Link to Emerging Trends Web 2.0 Instruction: Skype:__** []


 * __ Process for Determining Web 2.0 Application: __** I decided to research Skype as my Web 2.0 tool because I actually started using Skype just recently because my brother is serving over in Afghanistan. I actually was introduced to Skype in my first Applied Technology class (EDT 6000). We had to use the video conferencing tool for that class and I introduced this to my brother at the time. I figured it would be a great way for my brother to keep in touch with the family. When he got over to Afghanistan he actually signed up for a version of Skype that allows him to make calls to our cell phones or house phones directly from his computer. At the time I did not even know that this was something Skype offered. This is when I decided to research Skype and see what else could this Web 2.0 tool offer.


 * __ Reflection: __** I really found the research portion of this assignment to be a huge benefit for my family and I, since we are current users of Skype and now I am aware of the possibilities that Skype has to offer. I did find the voicethread creation to be a little challenging. I did like how to create a voicethread you can upload a powerpoint. The only problem that I really ran into was the arrangement of my slides in the actual voicethread. I do like how I was able to include videos and links to information. I really liked how on a voicethread you can really make it your own. By being able to record your comments you are really able to include important details that may typically be hard to include in just a powerpoint. The other benefit to a voicethread is the pen tool. You are able to show or point to exactly what it is you want the person to focus on. Although I found this to be challenging at times it really was a good tool that could be very beneficial in the classroom for short clips for your students to watch maybe on a specific concept. The problems that I had encountered were nothing out of the ordinary for working with technology.