Started experimenting during the last couple of weeks with Skype for Business. On Friday for example I had a meeting with a colleague to discuss some ideas he had. As we both work on different sites and I knew my colleague was eager to get things moving and have a meeting at the earliest opportunity I suggested a Skype session to allow for discussion. Midway through the discussion he asked if I had another computer to look at as he was going to send me a link for a web page to look at. At this point Skype for business came into its own as I suggested he should use the “present” option.
A few minutes later and the Skype call continued, however with me now able to see my colleagues screen via screen sharing while also still able to see and hear him via picture in picture. My colleague was able to walk me around the site and how he felt this idea of his would work and how it would benefit the school.
With Skype for business it is possible for a number of people to come together in a single meeting, sharing screens and discussing the issues in hand. As such I can see opportunities for student group work across schools geographically separated. This might be a nice preparation for the world beyond school where increasingly we are having to work remotely or across borders. It would also allow for master teaching or lecturing events where a single teacher can deliver to both students in the same room and also students in other schools and locations. Again this could add an interesting global aspect to lessons.
I see quite a bit of potential in Skype for Business and its use within school so my intention going forward is to have a number of virtual meetings using it. I am also hoping my colleague and also those he shares meetings with will also go forth and share as well as identifying creative and innovative ways Skype for business to be used within the school.
Technology and Learning