BP4_Skype

What is Skype? It is a software program that allows you to make FREE Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls that are available for your computer (Linux, Mac, or PC), mobile phone (depends on your service plan), and now even on certain TV’s. 

I had used Skype before and pretty much thought that it only did the video and voice chat, but when digging deeper I found that it could do so much more. Users can send instant messages, screen share and share the files on their computer with another Skype user all for FREE. When I downloaded it I put all of my contacts into easy to find categories. 

I have used Skype to talk to family and friends. I have also used it during the program at Full Sail to have meetings with my group members. We have had conference calls, transferred files, and instant messaged one another in order to meet the needs of all group members. Especially since one of our members was all the way in Saudi.

It can be used by regular home users to talk to family members or friends who live far away or who may be out of town on business. What better way to connect to a sick grandparent than by making a video call where she can see you and all the grandkids wishing her well? You can even use the instant messaging feature or Skype-to-Skype conference calling to talk to a group of friends you haven’t seen in awhile.

 

It can be used at your place of business to make conference calls, meetings, transfer files, and calling contacts from around the world. You can also use it to screen share in order to better explain something to a business contact that might take longer to simply type out. By downloading some of their extra apps you can also record calls, forward calls from Skype to your mobile phone, integrate it with Outlook and use the voicemail feature. 

You can even add a Skype Me button to your company website. Now that’s what I call keeping connected!

It can also be used in the classroom for educational purposes. One of the best benefits of using Skype in the classroom is the ability to invite guest speakers from all over the world to speak to your students. You can even connect to other classroom for group projects or virtual science fairs. The possibilities are endless and with an interactive white-board it is easy to make it easy for the whole class to see. This link provides you with 50 different ways Skype can be used in the classroom: http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/.

It can even be used by Gamers to talk to one another while they play video games on their PC. I have used it for this to enable me to talk to other gamers all over the world while playing games like Guild Wars, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, and more.

As you can see there are many applications for Skype from personal to business to education. All of which are mostly FREE to use. So if you haven’t tried it out yet then what are you waiting for? Go download Skype today and connect to the world of possibilities around you.

Visit Skype.com to download it today.