In an age of technology that can take us across the globe in seconds, school lessons have the potential to be more interactive and exciting than ever before! Skype s a simple, free technology available to anyone with a computer and internet connection, and the new project 'Skype in the classroom' is encouraging teachers to use this technology in schools and open the world up to young learners.
The project offers students have the opportunity to flit from country to country, continent to continent and even into space in mere seconds, to talk to people from all walks of life without even having to leave the classroom! The idea is to have specialists on many different subjects and from many different professions teach lessons to students, and other interested members of the public, about their areas of expertise for free over the internet.
A great example of how to use this project during Astronomy lessons is the 'Humans in Space' event held by NASA's Digital Learning Network, which teaches pupils about the living environment in space. They are taught what it's like to live and work in space, including physical and mental challenges it presents.
You can take part either by bringing skype to your classroom with a pre-planned event or planning your own. Alternatively try teaching a class youself! To find out more visit the Skype in the Classroom webpages: 'Out of this world' is a collection of events based on Space and for more general science events see the 'Citizen science' collection.
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