Using Skype at school

...using what at school?

Skype is a free piece of software which allows you to use your computer to make and receive phone calls all over the world - for free. The person who you are talking to needs to have Skype installed on their computer as well. It is possible to call 'normal' telephone numbers using Skype, but this is a paid for service called SkypeOut.

This section of the BucksGfL will outline how you might want to use Skype in school - it will also tell you how to install and use the software.

What will I need?

To use Skype you will need the following:

• a computer connected to the Internet running Windows XP, Windows 2000, Mac OSX 10.3 (Panther), Linux or Windows PocketPC 2003
• (don't tell anyone this, but Skype will also work with Windows 98 and NT - although performance and reliability are unlikely to be as good as using Windows 2000 or XP) 
• a (reliable) connection to the internet - broadband is better, but ISDN & dial-up (i.e. a connection that uses a modem) should also work, albeit with reduced quality
• a microphone & speakers connected to your computer or a headset (these are sometimes combined into a headset like the one on the right) connected to your computer - or you can use one of the Skype-compatible phones
• a Skype username (you can create one of these from within the Skype software - see Registering a Skype Name)
• someone else to talk to - you can get help with this if you're stuck!

Getting started

To use Skype, first of all you will need to download the software, which is free to download and use. It works on Windows XP and 2000, Mac OSX 10.3, Linux and Pocket PC.

Installation of the software

The following links give interactive demonstrations of how to install and start using the Windows version of Skype - examples for Mac OSX, Linux and PocketPC are also available.

Testing your Skype installation

If you would like to test your Skype installation, make a Skype call to callto://echo123 or add echo123 as a contact in your contacts list.

You will be connected to the Skype test service and after a 'tone' (much like an answering machine tone) you can leave a test message of up to 10 seconds. This message will then be played back to you - this will confirm if your microphone is working OK.

Uses for Skype in schools - and experiences of using it

Would you like to explore the potential use of Skype in school, for administration, teaching, MFL work, work with field trips etc.? It would be interesting to follow a group of people experimenting with the technology to see what's possible. This work could also include a directory of school Skype users in Buckinghamshire, and possibly trusted resources (experts, willing contacts, etc.) who could be involved in work your school is doing.

If you've got experience of using Skype in school that you'd like to share, please send it to iusher@buckscc.gov.uk and it will be shared on this page.

Extras for Skype

Skype allows third parties to create 'plug-ins' for Skype which can extend its functionality. Some of these allows users with a webcam to take part in video meetings using Skype. Others include additional functionality to integrate Skype with Microsoft Outlook, free voicemail packages which have a similar functionality to the paid-for Skype Voicemail service, and others.