Web Conferencing
Skype in the Classroom Makes STEM Push with Code.org
Skype in the Classroom has
partnered with Code.org to connect students with
tech professionals in an effort to encourage more kids to pursue careers in
computer science.
Skype in the Classroom is a free service from Skype that supports
collaboration with other classes, hosts guest speakers for classrooms and lets
students take virtual field trips. Code.org is a nonprofit organization working
to make computer science available in more schools and to encourage more
students to pursue computer science, particularly women and underrepresented
students of color. This partnership supports the mission of Code.org by
providing students with the opportunity to connect with working professionals in
the computer science industry as guest speakers through Skype in the Classroom.
According to information from Skype, tech professionals available as virtual
guest speakers include coders, developers, program managers and product designers. They can speak to students about how they found their way to their career,
the kind of work they do and why they love their jobs.
The Hour of Code is an initiative by
Code.org to introduce kids of all ages to computer programming during Computer
Science Education Week. Skype in the Classroom supports the 2014 Hour of Code,
but computer science professionals are available through Skype in the Classroom
and the
Microsoft YouthSpark initiative throughout the school year. The 2014 Hour of
code takes place Dec. 8 to 14.
Tech professionals interested in participating as guest speakers can
apply online, and
teachers interested in bringing these virtual guest speakers into their
classrooms can connect with them through
Skype in the Classroom's
site.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at leilameyer@gmail.com.