19 – Skype

Down 1 place in 2019

Skype is useful for one-to-one interactions as well as group conversations. Skype for Business means it is also a key enterprise tool, and Skype in the Classroom a key educational tool.

Website: skype.net
Cost: Free for computer-computer use. Pay to call landlines and mobile phones, and send SMS messages
Availability: Download

Top 100 Tools for Personal & Professional Learning 2019: 15
Top 100 Tools for Workplace Learning 2019: 13
Top 100 Tools for Higher Education 2019: 19

Past Overall Rankings
2018: 18   2017: 11    2016: 7     2015: 9      2014: 25    2013: 13
2012: 7     2011: 4      2010: 6     2009: 11    2008: 4      2007: 3

Comments from some of those who selected Skype as one of their Top 10 Tools in 2019

  • “I still use personal Skype, although not quite so frequently as I once did – however, since lots of my clients use Skype for Business, I make more use of that nowadays.” Jane Hart, UK https://modernworkplacelearning.com/magazine/janes-top-ten-2019/ 
  • “I used to use Skype often before. Then there was a break due to the appearance of other convenient tools. In connection with the work on the new project in English, there was a need for voice and video communications with other computers. I decided to return to Skype, which I consider the most convenient tool among those I know.” University Lecturer, Russia
  • “Able to share screens and present to individuals who are not in the office where I work, so able to conduct inductions on people’s first day” L&D Manager, UK
  • “Reliable tool to have video meetings” Principal Lecturer, UK
  • “Always handy, because everyone knows this program.” Account Manager, Netherlands
  • “Useful for one-on-one exchange” Knowledge Management Specialist, Brazil
  • “To be replaced soon by MS teams – yes for webinars.” Group Head Learning, UK
  • “Remote meetings and learning sessions” Trainer, India

How to use Skype for Learning

Here you will find some basic guidance and links to resources on how to use Skype for teaching, training, learning and development.

At the bottom of each of the Tools pages there is a section How to use [the tool] for Learning. It provides basic guidance and links to resources on how to use the tool for teaching, training, learning and development.

To read these special sections you will need to be a registered user. Find out how to purchase access to ALL these special sections here and also pre-order the PDF How to use the Top 200 Tools for Learning.