Videoconferencing with Skype™
Tech Tip by Cheryl A. Demharter ([email protected])
For those of you new to videoconferencing, Skype™ software provides easy access to an extraordinary tool for language teaching and learning. Founded in 2003 by computer experts from
Luxembourg, Skype™has grown exponentially and is currently available in 28 languages worldwide. Language learners can use Skype™ to communicate in real time with native speakers and instructors around the world in a manner that closely mirrors an immersion experience. All Skype™ calls are encrypted to ensure your privacy; they are free when communicating from one computer to another.
Downloading the correct version
Skype™ videoconferencing software is available as a free download from http://www.skype.com. It comes in different versions for Mac and for Windows, but users can communicate between the two platforms. In addition, you can determine which language version you prefer. Most of the images in this Tech Tip come from the French-language version for the Mac.
Preferences
During the simple installation process, you will need to choose a Skype™ name, but little additional information is required. You may wish to add a photo and a brief message to your profile. Your e-mail address remains private.
To edit your profile after the installation process, click on File (Compte) > Edit My Profile (Mon Profil):
You can also modify the software’s default settings by going to Tools (Skype) > Options (Préférences):
You will find there a number of settings that you can reset. The image below shows the General settings:
By clicking on the Video (Vidéo) icon in the Options (Préférences) window, you can view your video locally to check its quality. In that same window, you can choose to allow both the incoming and
outgoing video to appear automatically when a call begins. You will thus experience a smoother connection. You can also choose to
whom your video should be shown and whose video you want to receive:
Equipment Needed
If your computer does not have integrated audio and video, you’ll need to plug a microphone and a web-cam into your computer.
Newer web-cams are available with attached microphones. All users should use headphones to eliminate feedback noises; however, some connections do not have audio feedback interference, making
Accessing Skype™
The program can remember your password, which was chosen during the installation process, to allow faster access to your Skype™ software:
Adding Contacts
Once you’ve accessed your Skype™ software, you can make a test call to adjust your audio. Simply type in “echo123” or click on Skype Test Call (Appel Skype Test) if it shows up automatically in your list of contacts. To check the online video connection,
however, you must be in a call with one of your contacts. Each user has a unique Skype™ name, which identifies the
individual online. You can add a contact to your list by going to Contacts > Add a Contact (Ajouter contact) and entering the
Skype™ name, if known. Otherwise, use the convenient search tool to find online users by first and last name or by e-mail address.
When your potential contacts receive your request, they can decide whether or not to accept you on their own list of contacts. Contacts can choose to be hidden from view on other contacts’ lists so that they cannot be reached except at scheduled times.
Actual contact names in the above image have been digitally modified for anonymity. The symbol to the left of each contact shows the online status. When online, several settings are possible:
Making a call
If your contact is available to make a connection, you can click on the name to open a drop-down window. You will see the contact’s location and the local time:
Green icon--To initiate a call, click on the green icon. A ring tone will sound on your contact’s computer, with a request for the contact to either accept or reject your call. If accepted, you and your contact should then be sending and receiving both audio and video,
assuming you have the right equipment and have activated those features (see above).
Blue icon--A chat window can be opened independently by clicking on the blue icon. You may wish to send a chat message to your contact before placing the call to find out if it’s an appropriate time to do so.
Menu (Triangle) icon--Clicking on the triangle icon will open a window with several options, including your contact’s profile and chat history:
An actual call on a Windows PC using the English version of Skype™ looks like this:
Your outgoing video is shown in a thumbnail while the incoming video can be resized.
The Chat Feature and Conference Calling
While online, any user can open a chat window by clicking on the blue icon under a contact’s name. Users can alternate among several chat windows, which are accessible from the appropriate tab on the left. The image below shows only one name tab:
The chat feature can be useful to clarify your communication or when you require the exact spelling of a word. Either party can save the text of the chat window as a file. Its default file name is “Chat with [caller’s name].”
Although several chat windows can be opened simultaneously, only one video connection between two users is available through
Skype™ at this time. Conference calling in audio-only mode can accept up to four users with group chat possibilities:
After you have become familiar with Skype™’s many features, you may wish to check out the Festoon plug-in, which attaches to
Skype™ and allows for multiple video connections during conference calls.
Troubleshooting
Good quality videoconferencing will depend on the type of computer and on the broadband Internet connection. Newer, more powerful computers will, of course, give better results. Sometimes video-calls will freeze momentarily or lose audio on one or both sides of the connection due to Internet glitches. Dropped calls can also occur. If so, just hang up completely by clicking the red icon at the bottom of the screen and redial. A good connection can normally be
re-established. Firewall issues involving institutional computers should be addressed by the institution’s IT professionals.
Additional Features
This software contains many additional features, which may require a fee paid from an account you set up with Skype™. A commonly used feature is the one that permits international calls to and from landline and mobile phones for a nominal fee. Other features include file transfers, money transfers using PayPal, and voicemail.
Exploring this New Tool
Videoconferencing is an incredible language-learning tool that is just now beginning to flourish worldwide. Its role will continue to grow as it becomes better integrated into various language curricula. Once you become familiar with Skype™’s features, your imagination and creativity can run wild in developing formats for its use in your own teaching and learning. The pen-pal exchanges of the past have now reached the digital age.