Continuing to think about practical applications for the technology we use, I was thinking about Skype the other day. For any who don’t know, Skype is an Internet phone service providing computer to computer calling for free (and other phone services for cost). One of the very nice features of Skype is the ability to send video as well as text. This past summer, while my wife was away, she and I would converse with each other via Skype and webcams.
All of the new netbooks (it appears that this is becoming the settled term for Eee PC’s etc.) have a built-in web camera, so this type of contact is possible with no extra software and no extra cost. Since we have outfitted room 503 with Eee PC’s, I was wondering how this could be used.
One application that I thought about was real-time access to outside resources. A teacher could set up a call or interview with another teacher across the country or across the world. The call could take place over Skype, and students could watch the speaker projected on the screen while asking questions.
Another thought I had was to mount a better video camera in the room and alloing a student who is ill to call in to a classroom Skype account and have audio visual access to the class. Depending on how elaborate the setup is, this person could participate as well as watch.
I guess I’m talking about dabbling with distance learning. We have all the tools to do this now. The only thing missing is working out the logistics.
Does anyone else have ideas for use of cameras in the classroom or any other transformative program?
Unfortunately, Skype has many limitations, and, in my opinion would be a horrible choice for this type of use. First of all, for video quality to be somewhat bearable, both users must have both fast up- and downstream speeds. using video is also processor intense, as Skype mentions for its’ latest video conferencing/calling, it is required that “you’ll need the latest version of Skype for windows, an optimised Logitech High Quality Video webcam with the latest webcam software. Plus a dual core processor PC and a fast broadband connection.” The webcam part, possibly indicating Skype is in cahoots with Logitech, often a troubling sign of many products. Anytime a company limits users like this, it tends to turn into a hassle with both the company and the end-user. I.E: AT&T and the iPhone. As for using this technology in the classroom, I would find it extremely awkward if I were anyone in that room – teacher or student. Everyone would be staring at the student and nobody would be paying attention to the teacher. Not to mention the extreme headaches that it would cause the teachers on the technology side of the call; trying to set the video call up, recovering a lost connection, or an error on the not-physically-there student’s part. And when it comes down to it, I regretfully must say that a lot of teachers here at Mater Dei are just not very good with technology.
As I was writing this post, I felt that it was somewhat scattered and disjointed. I think what I’m trying to say is not that we should embrace a particular program or even a particular use, but that we should start challenging the classroom walls through video.
As to Skype, I have not had the same negative experiences. There have been rare dropped calls, but I have usually been surprised by how clear the sound and picture are. I first thought about this as a viable platform when I started watching Leo LaPorte’s daily broadcast at http://live.twit.tv/. He uses this for most of his guest interviews and manages a two camera feed through a tricaster.
As to concerns about teachers’ abilities, I have watched the entire faculty move miles in a comparatively short period of time, and I remain optimistic that we are on the verge of more break-throughs (I also suggest you reread my last post “Learning to Fly”)
Always appreciate your comments and insights.
I strongly disagree with Owen’s comment. I use Skype almost daily to video and audio chat with my cousin over in Paris. I love it. And bandwidth is almost never an issue. They have those recommended and minimum requirements there solely for when there is a network slowdown and you cant use their P2P network.
Whenever I use Skype it never comes close to requiring anything close to the minimum requirements. I know those eee’s will be excellent for running skype if it is needed.
When Mrs. Rydjeski came to me when she heard about the negative comments about skype I was partially outraged. I strongly believe that skype can be an excellent education tool. I think that if we do find people to skype with in the classroom (maybe an MD/Servite partnership??? On second thought.. never mind.) that it will be a valuable tool for the classroom.
Alex Guichet
Unfortunately, I was wrong in my accusing of Skype. Please pardon my ignorance. My friend educated me about the use of the not so technically demanding part of Skype video, it does not require fairly fast upstream speeds. I was visited the Skype website when you wrote this and mistakenly looked at the highest quality video that Skype utilizes. Again, very sorry about my previous “big mouth” comment, and the ignorance it carried.
I like the concept of using Skype, or some other video/telephone service for out of classroom communication.
Right now though there’s not a practical application for it. The technology isn’t developed enough nor has the service been widely adapted for it to become a necessity to implement in classrooms.
I think a fundamental flaw that this “Think Tank” is having is that it is trying to think of needs for technology, as opposed to the right way of thinking, which is technology to alleviate our needs. Let’s face it, right now there’s not a dire need for our teachers to make international calls to other teachers for lectures. Most students can catch up perfectly fine when they come back from being sick. To prove my point entirely the end of this blog post even asks
“Does anyone else have ideas for use of cameras in the classroom or any other transformative program?”
We shouldn’t have to be thinking of uses for technology, we should know what we want to do THEN turn to technology to allow us to meet our demands.
Another point I would like to make in regards to the “Flight” post.
You made a metaphor comparing our investments to technology to that of building a Cathedral. The general point of that metaphor was that we wouldn’t be the ones experiencing the fruits of our efforts, but instead our children and grandchildren would.
While this metaphor certainly sounds impressive and is inspirational it is fundamentally flawed in the technological world.
Technology shares almost no similarities to building a Cathedral. Technology is always moving and constantly improving. Fundamentally you cannot “invest” in technology like you would a Cathedral. We could spend all of the money available on the latest computers and technology and I can almost guarantee that all of it would need to be replaced within five years. Let’s not forget that the towns and cities that built a Cathedral built them because they needed the economic and social benefits that a Cathedral brought. Currently Mater Dei has no need to actively expand our technological infrastructure outside of what is currently provided. I’m sure someday the time will come when we need to expand, but when the time and NEED comes the technology will be available and practical for us to adapt.
There is no need to invest in expanding our technological infrastructure. Especially when there’s currently no need to do so, and if it’s going to have to be replaced in the near future anyways.
This isn’t to say that I am against the efforts of this “Think Tank” to improve Mater Dei’s technological future. I just think the train of thought is currently backwards and we need to take a different approach to doing things.
Respectfully,
Patrick McNally
In terms of using Skype. I have had to use Skype as part of a technology course required for the masters program I am taking. Skype does not always work flawlessly. Camera capture speed and internet connection speed are important issues to consider when using Skype and iChat. I use iChat (the mac internet video conferencing program) with my daughter who is at Cal Poly SLO. My daughter uses iChat with her friends in Hawaii and N.Y. and often experiences poor connections, disrupted streaming, etc. When these types of video conferencing are used socially, the importance of uninterrupted connection is not as important as when it is used in a classroom situation where it can be disrupptive and frustrating. Yes, there are a few classroom applications where it might be worth incorporating this technology into a lesson, but I agree with Patrick, it should not be used just because it is technology.
As for students who have missed a lecture or demonstration; a better way to address that would be to create a podcast that students could access. Or for teachers to investigate and use some of the excellent podcasts that are already avaliable at iTunes U. One of the greatest advantages of the computer and Internet is the ability to find and use what is already out there rather than trying to ‘reinvent the wheel’