M8-Online+Communication

=Online Communication =

Awareness I have used email, FB, and chat, but I have never used a video/audio online communication tool. I have heard of Skype, but never used it. When our school switched to Gmail based email, I saw the video chat option, but never explored it.

Exploration and Filtration Shanda Hart was my partner. We discussed the different experiences we have had with online tools.She taught me how to Skype and we learned together about Google Talk, since she has Skyped and I have Google Talk access.

Learning Google Talk was more difficult than Skype. We both had it installed on our computers, and were able to communicate, but not effectively. I don't think we ever both saw each other at the same time. Skype was much more user-friendly. Both were free.



Application Our school has a lot of classrooms doing penpals. How cool would it be do to video pals? Or when someone you know travels, you could Skype them in and see the world through them. I am brainstorming now!