FaceTime

=FaceTime= [|Here is where you can find it!] FaceTime is like Skype (but way faster with no delay or lag). It is only available for Mac users though, but can be accessed from iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, MacBooks, and any Mac. You can go between two Mac computers, or from any Mac device with a camera to another device.

Examples of practical use:
[|Check it out!] (These are pretty cool ideas.)

Strengths:

 * It is a quick way to touch bases with others and stay connected.
 * The window can easily be made smaller and moved to another part of your desktop, so that you can communicate and keep working.
 * You could communicate with someone while working on different collaborative projects together.
 * It's a $.99 App from Mac.
 * It downloads very easily-- just make sure you know your Apple ID.
 * You basically 'call' another person's email address, so you can go right through your contacts.
 * Can easily call and connect with others. (Their device 'rings.')

Weaknesses:

 * You have to have one Apple ID for every computer that has FaceTime downloaded. Each Apple ID is linked to a separate email address.
 * You have to have a Mac to use the App.
 * Network interruptions / Need for wi-fi connections for all who use.

Opportunities:

 * The fact that it is only $.99 makes it very doable and a fantastic solution for those people who want to stay connected.
 * Students can watch live demonstrations or lessons if they happen to be out sick.
 * Collaborators have the opportunity to really communicate (not only with words...voice or writing, but by 'seeing' one another--their facial expressions and body language) with each other.

Threats:

 * Any live video technology can be abused when people take advantage and do inappropriate things.
 * Nobody contact you (or connect) without you authorizing it, so I doubt this would be a 'dangerous' tool.

Ideas for the classroom:

 * Help parents stay in touch during special classroom presentations while out of town. For example, last school year I invited all of the moms of my fourth graders for a special class presentation that included poetry readings, special music, roses, and gifts for the moms. I quickly received an email from a distressed mother that explained that her husband was taking her on a special anniversary trip to Bora Bora that entire week. I emailed her back asking her if she used Mac, which she did. She downloaded FaceTime and we connected a few times just to be sure we had it all running well. When the time came for the special event my student seemed very 'down.' We had kept it a secret (connecting during various sports practices after school), and so the student looked very strangely at me when I set my laptop down on the desk. About that time my computer showed that someone was calling me. I told the student to answer it; you should have seen the excitement when the student realized that their mom would be able to participate too! It was about 2 am where she was...what a trooper! It was a pretty cool experience. The other mothers in the room thought it was pretty neat, too.
 * Students could collaborate, show samples (pictures, books, whatever) to others instead of just trying to describe something.
 * Students from other schools and even in different countries could 'teach' students how to do certain cultural tasks (cooking perhaps).
 * Teachers could have live experts communicate with the students and be able to answer the students' questions.
 * Students could share experiences and real life examples (like going to the zoo, etc.) with others about a particular topic or concept.
 * Parents could check in with and see how students are doing and learning on long field trips--see what they are experiencing.
 * Invite guest readers to read fun stories to students on a weekly or monthly schedule.
 * Have students share their writing with one another to offer feedback and editing help.
 * Teachers (and even other students) could help students with homework or studying problems.
 * Students who are sick or away from school can stay in contact with class