By:
Widya Rahmawati
1504072033
The growth of the Internet
has changed how people communicate and exchange information with one another. The
use of computer-mediated activity is undeniably helpful in making the learning
process more effective and meaningful among ESL and EFL learners in terms of
developing oral skills which include communicative competence in local and
international languages, higher order thinking abilities, such as critical
thinking (CT), and proficiency in information communication technology. Both
challenges and opportunities emerge from a focus on 21st century skills, often
related to the role of technology in evolving learner characteristics and
learning environments. In the 21st century, characterized by increased
globalization, competence in international languages, such as English, is
invaluable.
Skype, a software application for online
communication, has been used in classes at various levels, providing many possibilities
for teaching and learning (Blankenship, 2011;). The appearance of Skype In the classroom, a website for
learners worldwide to share information, has expanded the potential of using Skype
for language teaching and learning. Skype, a software application for online communication,
has been used in classes at various levels, providing many possibilities for
teaching and learning. Skype also offers a computer-to-land-line service for
both local and international calls, as a fee-based service. Similar to needing
an e-mail address to send e-mails, a Skype account is required in order to make
and receive calls.
What is Skype?
Skype is a software application that uses voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) Technology
“which Converts voice signals into data streams that are sent over the internet
and converted back to audio by the recipient’s computer” (Educause, 2007, p.2).
Also, Skype is a free, downloadable
communication tool that turns a personal computer, smart phone, or tablet into a
telephone. However, Skype is
more than just a telephone. Skype is a telecommunication application software
that specializes in providing video chat and voice calls from computers,
tablets and mobile devices via the Internet to other devices or
telephones/smartphones (Markton, 2014). Skype is a communication tool that
allows users to make audio and video calls over the Internet. These calls are
free to other Skype users. Skype also offers a computer-to-land-line service
for both local and international calls. The computer-to-land-line service is a
fee-based service (Eaton: 2010).
Educational use
Although Skype is a
commercial product, its free version is being used with increasing frequency
among teachers and schools interested in global education projects (BRANZBURG,
2007). Teachers are using Skype in unique ways to fulfill educational goals.
The videoconferencing aspect of the software is valuable in that it provides a
way to connect students who speak different languages, hold virtual field
trips, and reach out to experts in varying fields of study. These experiences
allow students a chance to apply what they are learning in the classroom to
real-life experiences and it also achieves further learning opportunities
(THOMANN, 2006).
Skype in the
classroom is another free tool that Skype has set up on its website. It
provides teachers with a way to make their classrooms more interactive and
interesting. Skype in the classroom is a service that teachers can sign up for
that will allow students to meet other students, talk to experts, and share
ideas. Teachers can collaborate with other teachers around the world and design
different learning experiences for their students. There are various Skype
lessons, in which students can participate. Teachers can also use Skype's
search tool and find experts in the field of their choice (GRADDOL, 2015).
Advantages in studying English
via Skype
The most important
argument for learning English online is the possibility in interaction with the
teacher in Skype and time saving, and not on the duration of the lesson. This
is about a long travel from point A, where the student lives to point B, where
the teacher works. Often these coordinates are in a completely different places
and Skype helps them unite.
Therefore, learning
English online via Skype was a real salvation for residents of large cities
where you have a lot of time to travel to the place of study. In small towns is
another problem: a lack of talented and experienced teachers who follow the new
methods of language learning and are able to practice modern technology. In
addition, Skype has pushed the boundaries and allows you to learn with teachers
from other countries, including those who are native speakers.
Another undeniable
positive side in study English via Skype - it's free to move without stopping
your process of study. Wherever you are, you just have to have a laptop,
smartphone or tablet and a good Internet connection to complete lessons with a
teacher. As for the students and housewives, this problem is not so huge, the
businessmen who want to hone their excellence and language skills, can not
estimate the benefits of learning via Skype.
Disadvantages in studying
English via Skype
Like any other
method of learning foreign languages, lessons via Skype have not only
advantages but also disadvantages, which, however, if you wish, you can safely
forget. Most claims are made by
followers of the classical tools of language teaching because of the question
of psychology student - teacher relationships, interacting via Skype. It is the
lack of personal contact for individual classes. With this, of course, it is
difficult to argue, as online classes provide the same sense of preserving
constant distance. But you can handle it. And experienced teachers return this
drawback into benefite and use game time.
The disadvantages
of learning via Skype also include the inability to control actions of the
student by the teacher. Thus, the main claim is that the teacher does not see
what the student writes and can not correct the error in time. In fact,
learning English via Skype provides more live communication, not writing.
Grammar exercises student performs independently and at the beginning of the
next class teacher points to mistakes and explains new material. For clarity,
corrections teacher can use the function Skype «Demonstration screen",
which replaces a real whiteboard in the classroom.
References
Branzburgh. (2007) J. Talk Is Cheap: Skype Can Make VoIP a Very Real
Communication Option for Your School. Technology & Learning, 27(8)
Eaton,
Elaine Sarah. (2010). Using Skype in the
Second and Foreign Language Classroom. Social Media
Workshop, Language Acquisition Resource Centre
Educause. (2007). 7 Things you should know about Skype. Educause
Learning Initiative, 1--‐2. From http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli7032.pdf
Graddol, D. English next.
<http://www.britishcouncil.org/files/documents/learning-research-english-next.pdf>.
Thomann. (2006) A. "Skype – A Baltic Success Story". credit-suisse.com.
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