In order to do any Skyping or VOIP teleconferencing, you will need some basic hardware. For starters, find yourself a webcam. Even the cheapest of webcams now-a-days provides a quality image, so don't break the bank for your camera unless you are looking for some very specific features.
You will also need a microphone to transfer audio during your discussions. Now, many webcams do come with their own internal microphones. The problem with these microphones, however, is their ability to pick up noise from a classroom full of students. Ideally, you won't want a student to need to be directly in front of the microphone in order to be heard when speaking over Skype. To combat this, you can look into an omnidirectional microphone that will do a better job of picking up voices clearly from a distance. These microphones can be costly though, so I suggest experimenting with the mic that comes with your webcam.
Lastly, you will need the Skype software. Once you have the software installed, you will have to register for an account with Skype. Simple and free. Gotta love it!
Now it's time to start searching for people to connect with. This can be other classrooms in your own district, schools in your area, or schools in and out of your country. It could be a professional in an area of study, an author or illustrator, a celebrity, or a parent (yours too!) Below, you'll find a few places you can go to make connections.
