Detailed instructions on how to use Skype to teach online

How to use Skype for online teaching? When this is a very popular application today, it is used by teachers as an extremely effective free online teaching software. The following article will guide teachers and students on how to install and use Skype for online teaching!

main content

• 1. Why use Skype for online teaching?
• 2. Register a new Skype account for online teachers
• 3. Instructions for downloading and installing Skype software 
  • 3.1. Download Skype for PC
  • 3.2. Download Skype for Smartphone
  • 3.3. Skype Settings
• 4. Instructions on how to use Skype for online teaching. 
  • 4.1. Create meeting rooms/online classrooms
  • 4.2. Create a 1vs1 call between teacher and student
  • 4.3. Create an online learning group on Skype
  • 4.4. Useful functions of Skype for online teaching and learning
  • 4.4. Other functions
• 5. Note when using Skype when teaching online
• 6. Summary of advantages and disadvantages of Skype in online teaching dạy

1. Why use Skype for online teaching?

Skype application in online teaching is a solution applied by many educational units in the era of online teaching and learning. Because this is a software used to connect teachers and learners with each other through free video calls, voice calls and messages over the Internet. 

Skype possesses many outstanding advantages to support the organization of online classes such as: 

• Connecting teachers and learners for free: Just equip yourself with a computer, tablet or smartphone with internet connection and install skype software, you can organize classes and invite everyone to join. .
• Simple, easy to operate and use: With an easy-to-use interface, support Vietnamese language and basic functions Video, voice and chat calls even elementary students can use fluently.

• Join the class without having to install the app: With a web-based feature. Students/participants will not have to install and create an account and can still join the classroom normally.
• Create lesson videos with Call Recoding function: With Call Recoding utility, teachers can save lesson videos and share with students after the call ends. 

2. Register a new Skype account for online teachers

Students can join the classroom without registering a new Skype account. However, the class creator (teacher) is required to have an account to have the right to open a class.

It is recommended that both teachers and students create a new Skype account to be able to log in to the software on devices. Due to the quality of the image, the sound when used through the software is much better than running directly on the website platform.

Follow the steps to register a new Skype account with the following instructions:

Step 1: Visit the Skype account registration page:  https://signup.live.com/

Step 2: At the Create account interface, you can choose to register a new account by phone number or by email:

• Use a phone number instead
• Get a new email address. 

If using a phone number, in the phone number box you just need to enter the phone number you want to register and select Next.

If using email to create an account, select Use your email instead. Enter your email, then click Next.

Step 3: Next, at Create Password, enter the password for your skype account and then continue to click Next.

Step 4: Then you will see the application switch to What's your name interface. Just enter your name in the first name and last name boxes and then click Next.

Step 5: When you have fully declared your name and phone number. Skype will send a code to the phone number or email you used to register your account. Enter the code obtained from the phone and email and then enter the enter code, then select Next. So you have successfully created yourself an account to log in to the Skype application.

Note: You can also create a new Skype account after installing and running the Skype app on your devices. How to do it as follows: Open the Skype application after it is installed, you will see the Let's get Started interface -> Select Sign in or create -> At the Sign in interface of skype you create a new account by clicking Create One . 

At this point, you will fill in the information and complete the registration as in the steps above.

3. Instructions for downloading and installing Skype software 

Skype software currently supports installation for all computer devices, laptops, tablets, smartphones on popular operating systems such as Window, IOS and Android.

Teachers and students can follow the instructions to install Skype for two common types of devices, computers and smartphones, detailed below:

3.1. Download Skype for PC

Access and download Skype for Windows, Mac and desktop operating systems at: https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/

Select the software version compatible with the operating system and press download.

3.2. Download Skype for Smartphone

To download the Skype application on your smartphone is very simple, you just need to go to CH-Play or the app store and type in the search "Skype" and then download the application to your phone. Or visit our link below:

• Skype – Free IM & Video Calling for Android
• Skype for iPhone for iOS

3.3. Skype Settings

After downloading the software/app to the device. With smartphones, the installation will take place automatically after the download is complete. As for the computer, you will need to run the setup file you just downloaded and follow the instructions from the software. The installation is quite simple, so I will not guide this part in detail.

Next, you run the software you just installed and log in (Sign In) with the account created above to start using.

4. Instructions on how to use Skype for online teaching. 

To start using Skype for online teaching most effectively, you can start using the following main functions:

4.1. Create meeting rooms/online classrooms

Here are instructions on how to use skype to create an online meeting room/classroom and invite people to join.

Step 1: At the interface of the software on the computer, click the Meeting function. If using on the phone, at the Call tab, select the meeting icon in the upper right corner to create a meeting - a new classroom.

Step 2: At the meeting initialization interface, to invite students to join the class, you can quickly choose to copy and share the link right under Avarta. Or by clicking the Share Invitation button for more options.

Continue Starting the call means the class initialization was successful

Step 3: Use the main functions of the classroom to teach online

• Add members to the classroom by clicking the icon in the upper right corner.
• Share call links: Get links to invite members to join.
• Basic call functions: Mic on/off; Cam on/off; End the meeting.
• Chat: Online chat function in the meeting/classroom.

So with Skype's meeting function, teachers can easily create an online class and invite students to join the learning.

4.2. Create a 1vs1 call between teacher and student

To make a one-on-one call between a teacher and a student, you can enter the conversation between the two of you and click the "call" icon on the upper right corner to call. In addition, you can create your own chat in the following way:

Step 1: Skype on allows users to create chats, you just need to click on New Private Conversation.

Step 2: Send invitations to friends so they can join the conversation by clicking Continue conversation. If the person you invite agrees, then you will immediately join a secret chat, or you can make a 1-1 call between the two teachers and students.

To delete or stop this conversation, just click Private to display as shown below.

4.3. Create an online learning group on Skype

In addition, students can also create their own study groups on Skype with the following steps:

Step 1: Open skype and log in to the previously registered account. At the interface of the application, click Chats > +Chat > ​​New Group Chat to create a group.

Step 2: Then the New Group Chat interface will appear, put the name of your online learning group in the Group Name box. Add a group photo by tapping the camera icon.

Step 3: Once you've named the group and its avatar, click Next to go to the next steps.

Step 4: You can invite more people to join your study group and then freely call and video call for free.

Step 5: To send exercise files, photos or videos, click Add Files and then select the Files you want to send.

Step 6: If you want to invite members out of the group, click the group name you have set on the chat group interface, scroll down to Participants and click remove next to the name of the member you want to invite out of the group.

So creating a chat group or online class on skype is very simple, right? You can freely chat, share learning anytime, anywhere through the above instructions on using skype software.

4.4. Useful functions of Skype for online teaching and learning

Contacts backup

When using Skype you can easily backup or restore contacts and share them with others easily. The way to do it is very simple, just go to Contacts > Advanced > Backup Contact to File 

Notification Settings

This function of skype allows users to display optional messages, which you can turn off if you do not want.

IMNotification Settings

One of the pretty cool features that not everyone who uses skype knows. This feature allows users to receive notifications when someone is chatting with related words in the item you specified, then you will receive a call notification containing that word. Entering this feature is very simple, just Conversation > Notification settings.

Store messages: Skype allows users to store chats as long as your computer is not enough. You can customize as you like from 2 weeks, 1 month or 2 months.

Set password for group chat

Thanks to this password setting feature, your chat group will be secure with new information. If anyone wants to enter or be invited in, they need to go through the room owner's opinion, need a password to join the room.

Send files online: This is a feature that is nothing new of skype, surely anyone who is using this application has also sent files online. However, do not send files that are too heavy.

4.4. Other functions

Using multiple skype accounts at the same time

Unlike other messaging and voice calling applications, skype facilitates users to log in to multiple accounts at the same time. The tips below will help you open multiple skype accounts- for work and for personal needs.

Edit or delete sent messages

When you accidentally send a message and realize it was sent by mistake or the message was wrong. Then you don't need to worry because skype allows you to edit or delete sent messages. Just right-click on the message and select Edit Message or Remove Message.

Record a conversation

Because skype does not have built-in recording of the main conversation, you need to use a third-party application. MP3 Skype Recorder is an application that allows you to record and save all calls. A very simple and free utility. The call recording files on skype are saved in MP3 format.

Share screen space

Skype has built-in Screen Sharing feature, so you can share your desktop with the people in the conversation. In online classes, meetings, this feature is extremely useful. You just need to click on the + button and then select share screen.

Send a file to multiple people

At a group on skype with many participants, you can easily send a file to everyone, just drag this file and drop it into the chat room. Sharing data through skype is very simple and fast without any obstacles.

Mastering chat commands

In a chat room, a user can visit a chat friend using the add command or add a topic to the chat room using the topic command. To set a password, use the setpassword command…

5. Note when using Skype when teaching online

When using Skype to teach online, teachers and students should note the following issues:

One of the cases that may be encountered when using skype is losing the camera or microphone connection, affecting the quality of the lesson. These problems can be encountered from the hard drive, driver or windows.

When the call quality is poor, it is possible that this error is not coming from Skype, it may be due to wifi or the user is far from the router, listening to the network can also be the cause of this situation. Then need to solve the right method, if you connect by wifi, go to the closest router.

For quality online lessons and teaching, choose a quiet place to study, avoid distracting noise when talking online. Make sure class participants see you clearly without blur, noise or other distractions from the class.

Prevent interruptions when taking online classes by turning off your phone. Do not move too much and far from the computer screen to affect the lesson. Make sure the volume is just right, neither too loud nor too low.

6. Summary of advantages and disadvantages of Skype in online teaching dạy

Let's review the advantages and disadvantages of Skype in the following table:

Advantages

Defect

Good call quality, multi-platform user support. Video calls with free high-quality images and calls to any phone number. Employees in the company easily connect with each other. Easily create groups via domain names. There are many modes to show your status such as: available, unavailable or offline, in meeting, etc. Control the screen of the participants and share your own screen in the meeting, online meeting. Record meetings easily.

When using an additional feature, the user has to pay a fee. A phone number must be set up and an additional fee to be paid before making voice calls. If you do not have Office 365, you will have to spend about $ 2 more.

Above WebTech360 has shown how to use skype in online teaching and shared useful information about this convenient application. Hope the article will help you in using skype and teaching or meeting.