Use Of Skype Research Articles

The Use of Skype to Expose Students to A Cooperative Learning Environment Through Oral Interaction Tasks

This action research study aimed to reveal the practices of a group of students when exposed to a cooperative environment and its effect on the students’ oral interaction through Skype. Four task-based workshops were implemented involving peer work and tasks centered on topics to enhance critical thinking. Data was gathered through video recordings, reflective diaries, a semi-structured interview and feedback checklists. The findings revealed that the participants experienced certain aspects of cooperative learning such as teamwork and goal-sharing. In addition, the tasks contributed to enhancing some characteristics of peer team work, as well as language development. While working with Skype, technological problems emerged which were solved synchronously. Backgrounds, beliefs, and problem-solving also appeared.

The Use of Skype Video Telecommunication (VTC) for Social Visits in a Medium Secure Hospital: A Service Evaluation

AimsThe COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruptions in the ways we lived and interacted with one another. Research studies done in the immediate aftermath suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions may have increased feelings of isolation and loneliness, which together with disruptions in services may have precipitated psychological distress and mental health deterioration, particularly among persons with pre-existing mental health conditions. Following the introduction of first national lockdown in late March 2020, all visits to the hospital by family and friends were ceased. VTC became one of the rapid interventions implemented across several NHS Hospitals to promote continued patient contact with carers. In October 2021, we set out to undertake an evaluation project to determine the level of patient satisfaction with the use of Skype for social visits, to understand patient and staff perspectives on its pros and cons, and to understand patient preference post-COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAll ward-based staff who had ever facilitated Skype social visits and all patients who had had at least one social visit facilitated by Skype were approached to participate in the project. Data were collected using anonymous questionnaires with both quantitative and qualitative items.ResultsA total of twenty-nine patients and thirty-nine nursing staff participated in the study.Sixty-two per cent of patient-participants reported being satisfied with the Skype social visits and over half (52%) rated the Skype social visits as ‘the same’ as face-to-face visits. All participants reported patient-satisfaction with the process and speed of setting up a Skype visit, the benefits of visual contact and the reduction of travel costs. A few patient-participants noted that they relished the opportunity of seeing their home environment. Issues regarding increased demands on staffing resources, privacy, IT skills, and hardware and software glitches were identified.Overall, Skype social visits have been a positive experience for the patients and have not resulted in any significant risk concerns. Most patients (90%) indicated that they would like Skype social visits to continue post-COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionThe average length of stay (LOS) of patients is often longer in forensic compared to general adult mental health units and about 4.5 years at the study site. This evaluation found that the introduction of Skype for the purposes of social visits was considered a useful development by both patients and staff. The study findings were fed back to all stakeholders and certain changes have been implemented as a result.

Інформаційні технології у процесі вивчення ендокринології на етапі післядипломної освіти

На сьогодні в системі післядипломної освіти впроваджується технологія дистанційного навчання з актуальних питань внутрішніх хвороб, зокрема ендокринології. Використання Skype дозволяє організувати навчальний процес за допомогою лекцій, семінарів, дискусій. Передбачено самостійне вивчення тестів у режимі тренування з подальшою оцінкою знань за допомогою онлайн-тестування. Ці дані використовуються для комплексної оцінки результатів навчання на циклах тематичного удосконалення. Крім того, слухачам на заняттях надається можливість вивчити матеріал на web-порталі кафедри клінічної імунології, алергології та ендокринології. Важливим у підготовці лікаря є створення мультимедійної презентації з використанням можливостей сучасного програмного забезпечення та мережі Інтернет. Самостійна робота курсантів дозволяє більш диференційовано засвоїти навчальний матеріал за фахом. На сайті кафедри наявні презентаційні лекції, перелік питань для передатестаційної підготовки. Використання інформаційних технологій у навчанні лікарів на етапі післядипломної освіти дозволяє забезпечити високий кваліфікаційний рівень медичних кадрів.

Using Skype to research literacy practices: providing opportunities for participants with mental health conditions to share their experiences

AbstractResearch exploring the literacy practices of diverse participants is integral to developing our understanding of literacy. Diverse groups of participants, for example participants with mental health conditions, bring specific ethical considerations and methodological challenges. This paper presents the use of Skype to research literacy practices through qualitative interviews as a solution to such methodological challenges, focussing this discussion on a research project into the mental health literacy practices of students. The ethical concerns of working with participants with mental health conditions are discussed, particularly issues with confidentiality and safety which mean that interviews in both public and private locations could be inappropriate. This paper argues that using Skype allows both participants and researcher to be in private but separate locations, reducing barriers to participation for participants with mental health conditions and minimising the intrusion and anxiety of qualitative interviews. Vignettes from research into the literacy practices of students with mental health conditions are presented to show that using video calling to research literacy practices allows researchers to learn more about participants' literacy practices and the role these practices play in their lives, whilst maintaining comfort and ease for participants.

Academic insight on application and challenges of software to develop educational medical english writing

This research has thrown up many questions in need of further investigation.There was an expressive quantitative-qualitative research, which a common investigation form was used in.The dialogue item was also applied to discover if the contributors asserted the media-based attitude supplements their learning of academic English writing classes or not.Data recounted academic” insights toward using Skype as a sustaining implement for lessons releasing based on chosen variables: their occupation, year of education, and knowledge with Skype discovered that there were no important statistical differences in the use of Skype units because of medical academics major knowledge. There are statistically important differences in using Skype units. The findings also, disclosed that there are statistically significant differences in using Skype units due to the practice with Skype variable, in favors of academics with no Skype use practice. Skype instrument as an instructive media is a positive medium to be employed to supply academic medical writing data and assist education. Academics who do not have enough time to contribute in classes believe comfortable using the Skype-based attitude in scientific writing. They who took part in the course claimed that their approval of this media is due to learning academic innovative medical writing.

THE USE OF MULTIMEDIA LINGUISTIC LABORATORIES IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING (THE CASE STUDY OF «TRANSLATION» SPECIALTY)

The research is devoted to the experimental verification of the effectiveness of multimedia language laboratories in foreign language learning (on the example of the specialty «Translation»). The study represents the capabilities of multimedia language laboratories in the foreign language learning and the advantages and disadvantages of their use. The article discusses the concepts of “multimedia technologies” as digital delivery of content using more than one medium which influences several perception channels of information, and “multimedia linguistic laboratories” as computer classrooms equipped with E-Presenter, multimedia projector, interactive whiteboard and peripheral equipment. Multimedia presentations, electronic studies manuals and Internet access are used to provide the future interpreters with necessary knowledge for doing translation. Modern multifunctional computer software gives the future interpreters the opportunity to form the competence in listening. The use of Skype and Viber helps to develop communicative skills providing communication and cultural interaction with native speakers. MLL’s software and hardware complex provides teachers with a powerful toolkit that helps to create, edit and save tests, conduct tests and collect results, quickly assess and comment on the answers. The statistical calculations confirmed that the implementation of multimedia technology in the educational process, the correct and systematic use of MLL in the foreign language learning, can not only diversify learning process, but also help the future interpreters to achieve a high level of the foreign language competence. The use of MLL revealed a number of methodological advantages over traditional ways of teaching. The authors see the prospects for further research in the creation of appropriate pedagogical conditions for implementing information and communication technologies in the process of training future interpreters.

The feasibility of online video calling to engage patients with cystic fibrosis in exercise training

Introduction Physical activity, including structured exercise, is an essential component in the management of cystic fibrosis. The use of telehealth such as video-calling may be a useful method for the delivery of exercise and physical activity interventions, though the feasibility of this remains unknown. Methods Nine patients with cystic fibrosis (three female, six male, 30.9 ± 8.7 years) volunteered to participate. Participants completed an eight-week exercise training intervention conducted via Skype, using personalised exercises, with all sessions supervised by an exercise therapist. Feasibility was assessed by demand, implementation, practicality and acceptability. Changes in anthropometric, pulmonary, physical activity and quality of life variables were also assessed. Results Two male participants withdrew from the study, citing lack of available time. The remaining participants found use of Skype useful, with a mean satisfaction rating of 9/10, and three participants requesting to continue the sessions beyond the duration of the study. Mean compliance with sessions was 68%, with mean duration of sessions being 20 min. A total of 25% of calls suffered from technical issues such as video or audio lags. Anthropometric, pulmonary, physical activity and quality of life variables remained unchanged over the course of the study period. Discussion The use of Skype to deliver an exercise intervention to patients withcystic fibrosis was found to be technologically feasible, and acceptable among participants. Findings have implications for clinical practice and could allow care teams to engage patients remotely in exercise. Further research is required to assess the efficacy of this modality on increasing physical activity and associated health outcomes.

Using Skype as a Qualitative Interview Medium within the Context of Saudi Arabia

This research note reports the results of using Skype as a medium to conduct semi-structured interviews in qualitative studies within the context of Saudi Arabia. Skype audio-only interviews were used to explore the concept of privacy from the perspective of female users in the context of the spatial design of contemporary Saudi houses. The use of Skype audio-only, although accidental, turned out to be fortuitous. The researcher’s study design called for all face-to-face interviews, but due to the location of the researcher and participants and study time frame, some of the interviews were conducted face-to-face and the others were audio only Skype calls. The researcher went through the experience of being on both sides of the audio-only-Skype-call, as the interviewer and as the participant. Then there was an opportunity for the researcher to experience being an interview participant in a research that encountered some similarities to the one she had conducted: medium and subject sensitivity. After going through different approaches in conducting interviews, the paper acknowledges the benefits provided when using Skype-audio-only-calls in qualitative research.

Advancing Academic Writing in a Mobile Skype-Based Blended Model

<p class="Default"><strong>Background</strong>: Web media like Skype, Twitter, WhatsApp, and SMS not only make it viable to deliver, receive and share educational information, but to simplify communication with other people in various skills such as writing, link sharing, and voice or video files. There are three areas addressed to direct the plan and implementation of this survey as main objectives:</p><p>the faculty members' feelings and impression on applying Skype site as a media to teaching and learning academic writing process, the weak and strong points of the Skype site application during the teaching and learning academic writing, and the faculty members' perceptions toward using Skype site as a supporting tool for course delivery based on selected variables: year of teaching, past experience with Skype, and their specialization.</p><p align="left"> </p><p><strong>Method &Material:</strong> The sample consisted of 70 faculty members of Kashan University of Medical sciences, all having problems writing English well by using selective sampling. The study was a descriptive quantitative-qualitative research which a general survey model was used in. The survey questionnaires consist of 30 statements, which were devised in five categories based on Premise Base and Conducive Assumptions to clarify the Skype-based educational utilities and application. The interview item was also applied to explore if the participants affirmed the media-based approach augments their learning of academic English writing process or not.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Finding:</strong> Results related faculty members' perceptions toward using Skype site as a supporting tool for course delivery based on selected variables: their specialization, year of teaching, and past experience with Skype explored that there were no statistically significant differences at (α = 0.05) in the use of Skype units due to faculty members majors. There are statistically significant differences at (α = 0.05) in the use of Skype units due to the year of teaching variable, in favors of, the third and fourth year faculty members. The result also, revealed that there are statistically significant differences at (α = 0.05) in the use of Skype units due to the past experience with Skype variable, in favors of faculty members with no Skype use experience. Also, the calculated mean and Standard Deviations in six areas each having five statements arranged from the highest to the lowest ranking indicate the participants' impressions to Skype-based blended model in teaching academic writing.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Skype media as an educational media is a beneficial medium to be applied to deliver academic writing materials and support learning. Faculty members not having enough time to participate in classes feel comfortable with the use of the Skype-based methodology in academic writing. They participating in the course expressed their acceptance of this media in learning academic writing. Skype-based teaching could become a very effective educational medium for learning academic English writing.</p>

Skype sessions as a way to provide additional oral practice of English university students

english teachers frequently find students with a low level of oral proficiency but who want to put the language they are learning into practice. The lack of opportunities to use the language inside the classroom added to the lack of time and spaces to interact with others outside the classroom make the situation even more complex. This article contains the results of an Action Research study which aimed at exploring the impact of using Skype as a complementary tool to foster oral production in a group of students in a private university in Neiva, Colombia. Four students from the first level of English with a basic command of the language took part in this study. Theoretical constructs such the use of Skype in EFL, Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC), social networking, cooperative learning and oral production in CMC were taken into account. The pedagogical interventions in the study consisted of six Skype video- conferences between a teacher-researcher and the four participants. To collect data, video-conference transcripts, field notes and students’ journals were used. The data were analyzed using qualitative methods. Findings evidence that Skype impacts the EFL context in areas like language learning, social interaction and emotional influences.key words: Skype, CMC, oral production, social networking, cooperative learning.

Displaying and performing: Polish transnational families in Ireland Skyping grandparents in Poland

For transnational families, doing and displaying family is enabled by communications technologies like Skype. We draw on the concept of family display in an analysis of data from a qualitative study of Polish migrant parents resident in Ireland on their Skype use. Skype functions as an important tool for family display, in the perinatal period, and for displays of intergenerational solidarity. The communicative underpinnings of a video-Skype call are such that a significant element of performance is required in which parents, children and grandparents engage as performers, directors and audiences to create meaningful communication. Such communication is effortful, involves emotion work and belies assumptions about the ease of transnational family practice through Skype.

Impact of Skype in Teaching Listening Comprehension

This paper shows the ELT educational trend has recently been gaining in significance in education systems throughout the world. English Language Teaching (ELT) has tremendously changed over the last one decade. Technology in education has become the buzz word in every educational environment. Technologies like internet, skype, you tobe, tweeter. Mobile phones and many more have added not only stimulus but also learners’ engagement and true interactivity with the classroom. One widespread method online teaching involves the use of skype, a powerful application that provides users with free internet voice chatting service.Skype can be a wonderful opportunity to expand learning situations through voice, text and video sessions.This paper is focused on analyzing the impact of Skype on students’ listening comprehension for a group of 21 students of fourth semester of FKIP UIR Pekanbaru in academic year 2014/2015. This study used classroom action research. The instruments of this research were tests, observation, interview, and field notes. The data collection was accomplished by means of students’ reflection questionnaires posterior to the Skype, field notes of the investigator, and comprehension tests. The finding shows that the use of Skype can improve students’ listening comprehension. It can be seen from the increasing of mean score of the tests.The results of the first cycle of 69.52 learning increased to 71.43 in the second cycle.

Using Skype to facilitate team-based qualitative research, including the process of data analysis

The usefulness of the online Skype system for qualitative data collection has been well documented, but its application in qualitative data analysis has been largely ignored. This article provides insight into the use of Skype in the context of interdisciplinary team research, with a focus on the analytical phase of a qualitative investigation. Team members used Skype throughout the implementation of a qualitative study that was informed by the Consensual Qualitative Research process. Research team members found that regardless of proximity to one another, Skype enabled an effective collaborative qualitative data analysis process. The system facilitated team members’ communication and analytical consensus building due to its unique system features that enabled all team members to view data in real time during all phases of the data analysis process, including coding, categorization, and identification of domains. Use of the Skype system increased the efficiency and effectiveness of a team-based qualitative data analysis process that, in this case, was consensual but can be usefully applied to other analytical contexts.

The use of Skype and telephone interviews in sensitive qualitative research with young people: Experiences from the ROCCA continence study

The use of Skype and telephone interviews in sensitive qualitative research with young people: Experiences from the ROCCA continence study

Cost Effective Use of Free-to-Use Apps in Neurosurgery (FAN) in Developing Countries: From Clinical Decision Making to Educational Courses, Strengthening Health Care Delivery

Financial limitations and the scarcity of technological knowledge are a major hurdle to good communication platforms, data storage, and dissemination of medical knowledge in developing countries. Out of necessity we used free-to-use apps in our practice. We studied the applicability and cost effective aspect of a systematic use of these apps in neurosurgery. We designed the Free-to-use apps in neurosurgery (FAN) module in 4 phases at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital over the last 3 years. We used free apps like Viber, Dropbox, Skype, and VLC media player on 3G and Wi-Fi network. Users were trained in ethics and measures to ensure confidentiality and privacy of patient-related data. Endpoints studied were feasibility, reliability, cost effectiveness, and overall satisfaction of the users. In the FAN module, the Viber app was used to send pictures of digital images via smartphones within 30 minutes, enabling quick decisions by the consultants. Dropbox not only helped store images but also helped quick verification of discharge summaries as early as 15 minutes increasing overall efficiency. With Skype, consultants could be contacted even when they were abroad, and with the use of FAN they remain updated of their patients.By the use of Skype and VLC media player, 2 operative live workshops from abroad were transmitted live with good visual and audio reception, allowing question-and-answer sessions with the faculties. User satisfaction was more than 90%. The FAN module helped in quick reliable decision making, allowing for instantaneous communication and storing data and exchange of knowledge across countries.

The use of Skype in analysis and training: a research and literature review.

Of recent years there has not only been an increasing use of Skype in analytic treatment, supervision and teaching, but also a number of writers have been endeavouring to assess its effectiveness. Whilst it is generally agreed that Skype can facilitate an analytic encounter where distance prohibits a face-to-face process, where continuity needs to be maintained and where analysands are in areas far from specialized centres, there is divergence in the literature as to whether analysis, as opposed to psychotherapy, can be successful using Skype. This paper reviews the literature and concludes that the essentials of a genuine analytic process are not necessarily precluded by Skype. One central reason is because there exists a cross-modal communication channel between the human senses (underpinned by audiovisual mirror neurons) in addition to the recently discovered instinct for communication and interpersonal understanding, and these can override the need for physical proximity of the participants. The essentials of an analytic frame can thus be maintained, and the continuity that Skype enables means that containment is also facilitated and this counters the negative aspects of shuttle analysis. The critical issues for the profession then become the professional development for practitioners in the use of Skype and suggestions are listed.

Skype as a Tool for Qualitative Research Interviews

Internet based methods of communication are becoming increasingly important and influencing researchers’ options. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technologies (such as Skype and FaceTime) provide us with the ability to interview research participants using voice and video across the internet via a synchronous (real-time) connection. This paper highlights the advantages of using Skype to conduct qualitative interviews and weighs these advantages against any limitations and issues that using this tool may raise. This paper argues that Skype opens up new possibilities by allowing us to contact participants worldwide in a time efficient and financially affordable manner, thus increasing the variety of our samples. At the same time, the use of Skype affects the areas of rapport, non-verbal cues and ethics by creating limitations but also new opportunities. The observations in this paper stem from two different researches, carried out by the authors, on dance (as a form of trans/cultural heritage) and wayfinding (the experience of getting from A to B in various settings). These studies lent themselves to using Skype for qualitative interviews, because of the need to reach an international, varied and purposeful sample. The researchers’ experiences, combined with feedback from participants in Skype interviews, are used in this paper. The conclusion is that, although VoIP mediated interviews cannot completely replace face to face interaction, they work well as a viable alternative or complimentary data collection tool for qualitative researchers. This paper argues that VoIP based interviews offer new opportunities for researchers and should be embraced with confidence.

Skype, Code and Shouting: A Digitally Mediated Drama between Egypt and Scotland

Springtime (Tron Theatre, Glasgow, 19 May 2012) was a computationally mediated theatrical performance involving Arab and Glaswegian-Arab actors and musicians. The project was produced by Ankur Theatre Productions, Scotland’s foremost black and ethnic minority theatre company. Springtime was directed by the dramaturge Shabina Aslam. Against the backdrop of the “Arab Spring” and its aftermath, the play explored issues of authenticity and identity as mediated through multiple technologies. This paper explores the impact and significance of the production and evaluates the use of Skype, social media and custom-made software in the writing, rehearsal and final performance stages of the play.

The Global Educational Toxicology Uniting Project (GETUP): an Analysis of the First Year of a Novel Toxicology Education Project.

The international boundaries to medical education are becoming less marked as new technologies such as multiuser videoconferencing are developed and become more accessible to help bridge the communication gaps. The Global Educational Toxicology Uniting Project (GETUP) is aimed at connecting clinicians in countries with established clinical toxicology services to clinicians in countries without clinical toxicologists around the globe. Centers that manage or consult on toxicology cases were registered through the American College of Medical Toxicology website via Survey Monkey®. Data was analyzed retrospectively from February 2014 to January 2015. Google hangouts® was used as the main conferencing software, but some sites preferred the use of Skype®. Registration data included contact details and toxicology background and qualifications. Thirty sites in 19 different countries in Australasia, Europe, Africa, and America were registered. Twenty-eight (93 %) sites were located in a major urban center, one (3.5 %) site in a major rural center and one (3.5 %) a private practice. Expectations of GETUP included sharing toxicology cases and education (30, 100 % of sites), assistance with toxicology management guidelines (2, 7 %), assistance with providing a toxicology teaching curriculum in languages other than English (2, 7 %), and managing toxicology presentations in resource-poor settings, international collaboration, and toxicovigilance (2 sites, 7 %). Twenty-two conferences were performed during the first 12 months with a mean of 3 cases per conference. GETUP has connected countries and clinical units with and without toxicology services and will provide a platform to improve international collaboration in clinical toxicology.

Use of Skype in interviews: the impact of the medium in a study of mental health nurses.

To discuss the use of Skype as a medium for undertaking semi-structured interviews. Internet-based research is becoming increasingly popular, as communication using the internet takes a bigger role in our working and personal lives. Technology such as Skype allows research encounters with people across geographical divides. The semi-structured interview is a social encounter with a set of norms and expectations for both parties ( Doody and Noonan 2012 ). Proceedings must take account of the social context of both semi-structured interviews per se, and that of internet mediated communication. The findings of the qualitative phase of a mixed-methods study are compared with other reports comparing the use of Skype with face-to-face and telephone interviews. This paper is a methodological discussion of the use of Skype as an online research methodology. Choosing Skype as a means of interviewing may affect the characteristics of participants and decisions about consent. Rapport, sensitivity and collaboration may be addressed differently in Skype interviews compared with face-to-face interviews. Skype offers researchers the opportunity to reach a geographical spread of participants more safely, cheaply and quickly than face-to-face meetings. Rapport, sensitivity and degrees of collaboration can be achieved using this medium. The use of Skype as a medium for semi-structured interview research is better understood. This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on the use of the internet as a medium for research by nurses.