Web 2.0 Resources to Promote Cross-Cultural Awareness and Connections
There are many web 2.0 tools out there for video conferencing. Skype, created in 2003 by Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom among other teammates, is one of the more popular platforms for communicating. Skype has both messaging, video, and audio chatting capabilities. It can be used on a computer, and has apps that are compatible with both Android and Apple IOS. Users simply create a username and may fill out a basic profile if they like. They can then “call” any of their friends that are online at the time, and commence a video or audio chat. Messages can be sent while offline and will be received by the individual when they log on.
When it comes to video conferencing tools, Skype is very simple to use. It is free and accessible on a myriad of devices. I have found that is has great clarity when video chatting, even when communicating with individuals halfway across the world. To connect with others, one
must know the username or name of individual they wish to connect with, and then add them add them to their acquaintance list. They will not be able to communicate with the other party until their request has been accepted, meaning one cannot simply go and call people at random, which of course adds an added layer of security.
I have found this is a great tool for connecting classrooms. While there are other video conferencing tools available (Google Hangouts and Facetime to name a few), most classrooms utilize Skype for connecting purposes. All classes I have connected with have asked me to utilize this particular tool. I have seen it been used for a great geography activity called Mystery Skype. Using mystery Skype, two classrooms are paired by, and each class much ask questions to one another in order to determine the location of the other classroom. It is fantastic to see each classroom learning about the cultures and lives of one another.