Reflect on educational journal using ISTE publication and Citation Machine
Weller, T. (2010). Playing with skype. 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25508&DirectListComboInd=
Travis J. Weller makes an excellent point about using technology, such as Skypes, to utilize subject expert knowledge from around the world to better teach students. The example given in this article, where three noted composers speak to music students before they performed their music shows the benefit to using Skypes to communicate. In this case the students were very much engaged, as they shared a give and take conversation with the composers. Implicit in this example, is that Skypes also gave the composer his perspective as to how he intended the music to be played. Imagine the affect on operas if Skpys could have been used on composers such as Puccini and Verdi. Weller also drives home the point of how simple and cost effective it is to use Skypes. Having the ability to acquire many expert opinions or perspectives on any subject matter sure seems like a boon for future students.
If Skypes becomes commonplace in the classroom, where subject experts are employed around the world, would teachers still need to be subject experts?
The credentialing of teachers might not change that much, even though theoretically the teacher may never have to teach on any subject. If the teacher’s role shifts more to a facilitator rather than a teacher, the teacher will still have to be responsible for what is taught.
Are there, or should there be standard regulations, certifications, and protocols when it comes to using subject experts?
Although using subject experts and Skypes seems like a great idea, there might be a can of worms opened up if this becomes the norm. Teachers have to be credentialed; perhaps subject experts should have to be credentialed too. How will it be decided who is a subject expert? Would subject experts or teachers be held accountable for students’ education performance on standardized tests?
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