I really do like SKYPE – when I’m not doing others things on the computer.  What I’ve learned to do is mark myself as “unavailable” during certain times of the day.  I do like the fact that my friends and I can carry on a conversation immediately.  I’m not bit on IMing and I see SKYPE in a similar manner.  Maybe it’s the look of SKYPE or the ease of using it that I like. I also know that part of my job is to use it! : )  Great motivator!   My experiences have been many actually.  I have carried on a group discussion about Constructivism and using Questioning Skills with others in my class. It was fun to read what folks thought and how they used the Q skills in a scenario that was presented.  I liked watching that cute little pencil as others were writing.  (Doesn’t take much to make me smile, huh?)  

With my foundations courses I think SKYPE can be beneficial if my classes can’t meet for whatever reasons.  A student who is absent could be contacted via the medium and informed of what was coming up or assignments that were given.  He / she could ask questions and get an answer right away.  That’s pretty neat I’d say.  It is a quick way to be connected to anyone else who is “on”.  I like that I decide if I want to be connected.  : ) (Power is cool and all that!)   

I think I can gain an immediate knowledge about what my students do and do not know about a particular topic.  I can direct them easily to answers, but also have a way to visually listen to them.  That, for me, continues to help build that relationship and learning community I like to have in all of my classes.  Knowing where they are in a topic will help me know where to guide them.  So, it’s all a good thing.  See you. 

Sue