Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

The Skype program was designed as a chat program and free calls thru the internet for people who can't afford to place International phone calls. To ban Skype all together is unfair, as we might have students or even staffs on campus who are from countries other than America. They might need to consult their families, or even former-professors or other professional on issues over the internet, but lack the resources in funds. As the average student and tech savy generation we are, Skype is part and parcel of our everyday lives, like myspace and AIM. Is it true that the claims that too much public funding is used? Or rather Skype's owners are not giving the taxpayers rebates back on their advertising dollar? What is this really about?

The last line of the article quotes Baker as saying there will be discussion on whether or not to ban Skype, but where and when will these discussions be - will students be involved? Will Skype still be banned while the discussion is happening? Who will lead the discussion, and where does the buck stop on deciding whether there is a ban or not?

I'm an international student, I use Skype everyday to contact with my family.
If the school decided to ban Skype at SJSU, this will be a really big disaster to me!
This means I'll have to spend a lot of money on international call in the future.

This puts Universities interested in international education (hybrid and online courses and programs) at a significant disadvantage. Unless schools come up with another solution, Skype is the best product out there. Not only because it is free (which universities and taxpayers should be happy about) but because it does provide terrific connection capability. The latest beta for the mac also allows screen sharing which is an incredible pedagogical tool. One of the big complaints about hybrid and distance with accrediting bodies has been the student support. If schools ban this tool they are dismissing an opportunity for student learning for all modes of teaching and learning and cutting off potential growth and revenue generation.

Some schools who are way behind on the times refuse to see the benefit of investing in their infrastructure to support this kind of learning and collaboration. Students, staff and faculty are not just goofing off when they use these tools. There is real life learning and collaboration taking place. Get with the times.