Teaching with Skype or VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol

General information Can be used on all operating systems including mobiles.

Users sign in to have their own account – free.

Free over net or credit can be bought. Communication – Skype:Skype or can be to a landline paid.

Make sure you have a good connection, and best to use with video. Test to make sure everything works smoothly. Headphone and camera: sound and vision.

Free – account, Skype to Skype calls and messaging.

Paid – mobiles and landlines at low rates, text messages, group video calls

Alternatives to Skype Google https://www.google.com/tools/dlpage/hangoutplugin

Jitsi https://jitsi.org/ VoxOx http://www.voxox.com/ Goober http://www.goober.com/ Ekiga http://ekiga.org/ ooVoohttp://www.oovoo.com/home.aspx

Review of all the above http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fed-up-with-skype-here-are-6-of-the-best-free-alternatives/

Features (Relevant for teaching)

One on one video Instant messaging Send files Screen sharing Recording the lesson (with student's permission)

One on One Video Test and adjust the screen angle to get the best fit.

Consider what's in the background Smile! You are on camera! Consider appearance

Talk to the camera, not the screen Allow for any delay Use the camera to demonstrate

Instant messaging

Click share button and select instant messaging.

Use typing for you or the student to set/complete some exercises

to message if there is a problem Prepare rubrics and paste. Same with links.

Send Files

Outside class time use dropbox, e-mail or Skype contacts. Click on the '+' sign of the contact to open this option. They can also use this to send info to you.

Edmodo and other such programs useful tools.

In class (during video) select the '+' button in the window, and select the file you need.

Screen sharing

Make sure connection is good. Choose '+' button and choose 'share screen', then confirm with start. Voice connection remains.

To choose a specific window, click on arrow in left hand corner 'share window'., then click start.

Choose 'stop sharing' when this is needed.

Only one person can share at one time, but can change whenever they want.

Recording

Have book recordings downloaded on your (and/or student's) computer

Different options you can source. One widely used is http://voipcallrecording.com/

Remember

Make sure student and teacher both have all necessary materials for the lesson e.g. course book and relevant materials.

Agree on times for submission of homework when this is required.

Teaching with Skype or VoIP – Voice over Internet

Protocol