By Jennifer Hartmann

University professors can now teach class via video conferences over the Internet using a software application called Skype, a global Internet communications company. Skype allows anyone with an internet connection to make free Internet calls. The software was recently utilized on the University’s campus by faculty as a teaching tool when professors cannot be present in the classroom.

Skype is available in 27 languages and used by people all around the world to see and speak with their families, friends and colleagues. Skype is intended to make talking on the Internet easy and simple, allowing users to both hear and see who they are talking to.

“Basically, all you need for Skype is a computer, a high speed Internet connection, such as a cable modem, DSL, or T1, a web camera and a microphone,” said Gary Moore, assistant dean for Law School Information Systems.

Skype was utilized in the Law School by Professor Robert A. Bush during the beginning of the fall semester, as he was in Australia for the birth of his grandchild. He told Moore of his desire to teach via the Internet for each of his classes: Torts and Advanced Mediation.

The system was tested through an Internet connection from Professor Bush’s house in Brooklyn several times before his departure to Australia. Although the first test in Australia was unsuccessful because of problems with the DSL connection on his end, “the remaining two classes he taught went very smoothly and students were able to see and hear Professor Bush very clearly,” Moore said.

“I found it to be an effective teaching tool,” said Joleena Pickett, a third year law student. “Professor Bush likes to walk around and really engage the class [so with Skype] we were still able to have a discussion and ask questions.”

However, Skype also has its disadvantages. “I would say the only drawback was that he couldn’t see everyone in the room,” Pickett said.

Other students in Bush’s Advanced Mediation class said participation was awkward. When a student had a question one had to speak loudly and clearly into the speaker phone. Some students said they felt uncomfortable participating in class and as a result remained silent.

Students mentioned on the first day of Bush’s Torts class that there were technical difficulties, so Bush taught class over a cell phone through a microphone. “He was calling from Australia, so that had to be a crazy phone bill. It’s a two-hour class,” said Pickett.

Other faculty members have used Skype on campus as well. Associate professor Laura Lally of the Zarb School of Business used Skype to teach her class when she broke her leg, according to a representative from University administration .

Anabella Martinez, dean of University Advisement, utilized Skype for a project last year where a professor used the system to send a lecture out so that a hearing impaired student could see the it in real-time through the University web site. “Utilization of Skype is based on an individual preference,” said Helen Latimer, director for networks and telecommunications at Skype.

A poll conducted by Zogby surveyed more than 7,000 Americans, entitled “Education Attitudes 2007” in May. The majority of respondents felt that technology plays an important role in connecting schools with communities. Fifty-nine percent agreed information technology is a vital tool that can help educate students by providing access to video and other dynamic content. They also felt more should be done to incorporate technology into the learning process.A majority of respondents said technology is an important factor in connecting schools to communities, as well as leveling the playing field among more and less affluent schools by providing equal access to educational content.

A national poll of adults conducted by Market Facts in May 2000 said that 76 percent of adults would use a lot of new technology to “get through” to kids in their classroom.

Students hear a lecture from a University Law School professor in Australia. The conference format allows some students to be inattentive and not participate in the class. (Jennifer Hartmann)