From Studyplace

Contents 1 Overview 2 Features 2.1 Conference Calls 2.2 Video Calls 2.3 Screen Sharing 2.4 Skype Extras 3 Skype Prime 4 Criticism of Skype

Overview

Skype is commercial software that facilitates voice over IP (VOIP) and video conferencing calls. The basic Skype software client and services are free of charge. For additional fees Skype offers computer-to-phone and phone-to-computer calls as well.

Features

Skype offers several features that can support online or hybrid learning. One of Skype's strength's is that it has fairly robust cross-platform support, including Linux support.

Here are some features that can be useful for a

Conference Calls

Skype supports voice conference calls for up to five people. Skype-to-Skype (computer to computer) calls are free, but landline or mobile phone users can join in, too, for a fee.

• http://www.skype.com/help/guides/skypeformac/skypefeatures/conference.html

Video Calls

Users with webcams connected to their computers can participate in video calls and video conferences. Skype is one of few video call systems with multi-platform support. It also supports one-way video calls when not all of the participants have webcams.

Screen Sharing

Still in development, screen sharing allows one conference participant to share her screen with the other participants. In the current version of Skype, the user initiating the share (i.e. the one with the shared screen) must be using the Mac OSX beta client. Windows and Linux users can view the shared screen, though.

• Skype Screen Sharing

Skype Extras

In addition to the 'core' features selected above, Skype offers an extensible plug-in architecture. Many of these plug-ins are focused on synchronous communication and collaboration. Unfortunately, their quality varies and they do not strive for the same cross platform support as the core Skype client.

• Skype Extras

Skype Prime

Skype Prime is not a tool that supports collaborative study or digital courses. It does though, present an interesting case for digital tools and learning. Skype Prime offers a type of peer-to-peer learning, facilitated by the Skype network. Any Skype user (18yrs+) can register themselves as an 'Advisor'. They list their services with Skype. Learners can browse or search for advisors in the directory, call them via Skype, and agree to the rate before fees begin. Advisors can be browsed by ratings or by popularity, in addition to area of expertise.

The featured categories, heavy with tech related services, are:

• Relationship advice and Counselling (1864)
• Spiritual and Astrology (858)
• Computer and Internet (7319)
• Language lessons and Translations (970)
• Tutoring and Homework (2020)
• Business and Personal finance (2796)

Criticism of Skype

Skype would be a better match for the goals of open study and commons-based collaboration if it were itself more open. It follows a model of proprietary software development where it does not release its code for others to study, review for transparency and security purposes, or build upon. Further, it's networking protocols are closed and guarded, preventing other groups from creating interoperable software to communicate with Skype users.