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Technology Tools

Expand your teaching toolkit with technology tools. Find reviews of tech tools, gadgets and software that can be used in your classroom to complement and augment your curriculum.

Talking Freely

Voice communication with people located anywhere in the world is becoming a vital part of the way we make connections and gain information. Having the ability to do this for free is an efficient use of technology.

Skype™, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a downloadable application that connects users via the internet to phones all over the world. Millions of Skype users are listed in their worldwide directory to make it easy to connect freely to those within their network. Calls to those that do not use Skype are available at a nominal cost to the user. Educators can provide immediate connection to students in other countries when researching other cultures or connect with “experts” out in the field to provide immediate answers to students’ questions. Up to 10 users can simultaneously connect using the conference call feature to encourage collaboration on projects. Calls can also include video with the easy connection of a Webcam to the computer.

Consider connecting to an archeological dig in Koobi Fora, Kenya and students being able to not only ask questions about the findings but being able to see some of the artifacts uncovered in real-time and for free.

Branzburg, Jeffrey.

“Talk is Cheap”. Technology & Learning. Mar. 2007: 36-38

Disclaimer: The Corporation for Educational Technology (Buddy) has no agenda other than the interests of K-12 educators. Technology product reviews render no financial incentive to our organization.

This article appeared in the ETC...and More! volume 1, number 7 newsletter and is published by the Buddy Project (Corporation for Educational Technology), in collaboration with the Hoosier Educational Computer Coordinators (HECC), Indiana Computer Educators (ICE), the Indiana Department of Education, and Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstruction for all Students (PATINS).