Skype Homework

SkypeSkypeCourse: Multimedia for English Language Teaching: Theory and Practice

Professor: 施雅純Student: Jeff Wang

Student number: 69804007

Introduction Introduction for for

SKYPESKYPE

Definition

Skype is a software application that allows

users to make voice calls over the Internet.

Features

a. SkypeOut: It allows Skype users to call traditional telephone numbers, including mobile telephones, for a fee.

b. Subscriptions: Unlimited calling plans and fees.

Features

c. SkypeIn:

SkypeIn (beta) allows Skype users to receive

calls on their computers which is dialed by

regular phone subscribers to a local Skype

phone number.

Features

d. Skype Voicemail:

This service allows callers to leave voice-mail

messages for Skype users. This is currently a

service that users have to pay for, though the

company Kishkish offers a Skype voicemail

service for free.

Features

e. Skype chat: It supports group text chat with an interface similar to Windows Live Messenger.

f. Skype me: Skype lets users set their status to "Skype Me,“ which indicates they are open to callers from around the world. Setting one's status to Skype Me attracts a number of callers who want to practice a foreign language (usually English).

Features

g. Skype video calling:

Skype currently only supports one-to-one

video chat; more than two parties are allowed

to talk, but three or more video feature is not

supported, neither is making video calls to

non-Skype cell phones. Hence, only audio, not

video, is available for teleconferencing.

Features

h. Skypecasts:

Skypecasts are live, moderated conversations allowing groups of up to 100 people to converse, moderated by the "host" who is able to mute, eject or pass the virtual microphone to participants when they wish to speak.

Features

i. Skype SMS:

Skype 2.5 (and above) is able to send SMS (short message service) messages to mobile phone numbers.

Featuresj. Skype web toolbar: It is a browser extension which can automatically detect phone numbers on web pages. It can reformat these numbers to make them accessible to the Skype client.

k. Skype Zones: Skype Zones Beta is software powered by Boingo that provides access to Skype through Skype-friendly hot spots.

Features

l. Skype history logs:

A log file is created for each contact on a user's

contact list. Log files are stored locally,

meaning they are not available if a user

switches computers.

Features

m. SkypeFind:

It is a community-generated directory in

Skype 3.1.

n. Skype Prime:

It is a beta feature in Skype 3.1. It allows users

to call lines that charge per minute, usually for

advice on a particular topic.

Features

o. Invisible Calling:

Version 3.0 adds the ability to connect and

talk to other users without actually being in a

conference. In this mode, the user can talk to

multiple users without those users having the

ability to communicate with each other.

Features

p. PocketSkype: It is a thin version of Skype and developed

specifically for PDA(Personal Digital

Assistant ) devices and any mobile software. It

helps people to make free, unlimited calls.

PocketSkype was made to give users more

choice and flexibility.

Features

q. Portable Skype:

Under Windows, Skype can be run directly

from a USB memory stick without being

installed on the host computer.

How can we use it in language learning

a. We can chat in different language online like

MSN. Thus, it will mainly enhance our

writing and reading skills.

b. We can talk online in different language

through microphone. Thus, it will mainly

enhance our listening and speaking skills.

Procedures Procedures for for

chatting on chatting on skypeskype

Step1: Contact list

Step2: Chatting

Procedures Procedures for for

talking on talking on skypeskype

Step1: Contact list

Step2: Press the button

Step3: Talking

Advantage & Disadvantages

Advantages:

a. Chatting

b. Talking

c. Anonymous

d. International

Advantages & Disadvantages

Disadvantages:

a. The text message sometimes couldn’t be

receive immediately but received the next day.

b. The quality of voice is sometimes too

unclear to hear clearly, so this really disturb

user’s language learning.

Relevant Thesis

a. 高嘉璘 (2008) 。 應用 Skype提升高職生英語口說能力之行動研究。 國立花蓮教育大學碩士論文， 花蓮市。

b. 潘美岑 (2004) 。網際網路溝通的語言遊戲─以MSN Messenger 為例。 國立政治大學碩士論文， 台北市。

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