Skype

After this week, I'm a Skype believer! Skype is an free internet calling product that allows one to conference in up to 25 users at once (per the help system). 

It is relatively easy to set up a Skype account, create a unique name, fill in the expected informational fields, and create a password. There is a profile page where one can add a "Mood" message, video, picture, etc. Once in Skype, I added our instructor as a contact. She had provided us with her Skype name; but there is a lookup feature in Skype where one can find people by Skype name, real name, or e-mail address. After adding a contact, they must confirm the contact, as in Facebook.

A conference call was started by selecting the group and clicking on the "Call" button.  One can choose to have an audio or video conference.   It is also possible to add people to a call once the call has been started. One of our participants had downloaded the Skype app to her iPhone and participated this way. Skype will also allow one to call landlines or cell phones; however, there is a small charge per minute for those calls (the iPhone with app was treated as a computer...no charge).

Skype has a chat feature which is active within the call. Skype allows screen sharing while in a call; this was something that we didn't try, but I would certainly like to attempt. The call quality was excellent. 

This is a free product that will allow for synchronous communication within an online course.  It gives one the ability to actually talk with students, set up virtual office hours, and study sessions.