Thing #15: Things like Skype

Skype would be amazing as an educational tool in a classroom! I would use it to communicate with students in other countries from other cultures, let the students have "conference calls" with authors of books we are reading, or interview professionals (scientists, police men, firemen, etc). Talking with students from other cultures would educate my students on manners around the world, the customs, and simply broaden their horizons; the more they know about the world outside Houston, Tx the more chances they will have to be successful as they grow into adults. It would also be useful in foreign language classes, you could create a pen pal type relationship with a student fluent in Spanish and both students could spend time speaking to each other in their native languages.

I have used Skype many times in my personal life. My mother, sister, and I used it last summer while we were in Italy to talk to my dad and other sister who were in Houston. I also used it to do a face to face appointment with my therapist since I didn't have time to make an in office appointment; talk about convenient. I would imagine that Skype and apps like Face Time (for the iPhone) have really helped out couples in the Army. I know my parents would have enjoyed using Skype when my sisters and I were younger since my dad traveled all the time. Then my mom could have called him to reprimand us when we were being awful!