Video conferencing

in the classroom
Using Skype to enhance students
learning

Skype in the classroom

PROS
Guest speakers can
talk to the class
without the travel
costs
Gives students the
opportunity to talk to
other students from
another school or
country
Free and easy to
access

CONS
Technically issues,
such as loss of
internet connection
can interrupt students
learning
It can be hard for
students to maintain
concentration and
focus when talking to
a screen

Skype to meet AusVELS

Lets focus on a Foundation Earth and Space
Science lesson.
Daily and seasonal changes in our environment,
including weather, affect everyday life.
(ACSSU004)
During this course students are to link the
changes in the daily weather to the way we
modify our behaviour and dress for different
conditions, including examples from different
cultures.
Cross-Curriculum priority: Asia and Australias
engagement with Asia.

Skype to meet AusVELS

Once students have the vocabulary required to
talk about the weather they can start to talk
about more complex ideas such as changing
seasons.
As we are aware, although it might be summer
here in Australia it would be winter in other
countries. This is a difficult concept for young
students to understand.
Skype allows for students to contact an
equivalent classroom in lets say China. From here
the two classes can discuss the differences
between the current weather in their respective
countries.

Skype to meet AusVELS

This video conference gives the students a real
life example of how seasons, clothing and
behaviours vary across different countries and
cultures.
This is just one example of how Skype can be
used to meet AusVELS outcomes and enhancing
students learning.