Skype partners with NASA and seven other organizations to promote video-calling in the classroom

Skype in the Classroom was launched way back in 2010, and was one of the company’s first forays into the education realm, aimed at helping like-minded teachers collaborate on projects and share resources. And today, the Microsoft-owned VoIP company has announced a number of new partnerships as it looks to promote video-calling in the classroom.

Just to recap, back in May Skype announced that it was joining forces with Penguin Group, New York Philharmonic, Science Museum London, Peace One Day, and Save the Children with a view towards giving teachers educational content and access to expert speakers via video calling.

Now, as we gear up for World Teacher’s Day on Friday, Skype has revealed a slew of new link-ups that will see NASA’s Digital Learning Center, The National Museum of the Royal Navy and HMS Victory, British Council, VerbalizeIt, Action Aid, Woodland Trust, Education through Expedition and Choose2Matter joining the virtual Classroom in the sky.

Here’s an overview of some of the planned projects that will come to fruition off the back of this announcement:

• NASA’s Digital Learning Center: Various projects where students can learn how to prepare a space vehicle, help scientists and engineers explore the principles of matter, and design their own spacesuit mission patch. Pupils will also learn what it’s like to live and work in space as well as being introduced to basic robotics.
• The National Museum of the Royal Navy and HMS Victory: This will feature a mini-tour of the HMS Victory Ship, taking students aboard Admiral Nelson’s cabin, onto the quarter deck and allowing them to see and discuss artifacts relating to the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
• British Council: The overall aim here will be to drive connections and exchanges between schools in developing countries and the rest of the world.
• Woodland Trust: Tips and advice on pre- and post-care for 17,500 tree-planting packs sent out to schools and groups around the UK – they will also seek to help schools learn about deciduous and evergreen trees.
• Education through Expedition: Classes will be taken on a virtual journey to Iceland to learn about the region.
• Choose2Matter: Schools and teachers will share examples of creative ways of learning.

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Skype say that more than 38,000 teachers are currently collaborating on 1,800 educational projects around the world. If these latest partnerships are whetting your appetite, you can sign up through the Skype in the classroom website – and if you’re a teacher concerned about the behavior of your young learners, it’s worth checking out ClassDojo too.

Image Credit – John Moore | Getty Images