On March 29, Skype introduced its all-new service entitled ‘Skype in the Classroom‘ and catering to the modern-day needs of teachers. The launch was preceded by the testing period of the beta version that had been launched in December 2010, which proved a success since about 4,000 teachers signed up for the project.

Skype in the Classroom. Current location map of teachers using the project

However, the history of the success goes deeper into the past. As the marketing team behind Skype noticed previously, long before the beta was launched, teachers of all kinds of subjects had started using skype as a tool to provide online lessons and exams, invite speakers from afar, and just to connect and exchange know-how. Appearantly, Skype couldn’t ignore the growing necessity for enriching the educational process—and has lent a helping hand by offering ‘Skype in the Classroom’.

The project allows teachers to register a profile where they can share information on their specialization, post calls for invited speakers, projects for collaboration where the help from other teachers is required.

The fact that the project has already attained a success is proved by the fact that, according to Mashable.com, other non-Skype sites have already been launched offering Skype teacher phone books, class collaboration directories and virtual language exchange programs.

So, the project allows teachers to provide the shared learning experience and foster the global exchange of knowledge.

Tony Bates, Skype’s CEO, comments on the launch of the new project, «Skype is committed to removing the barriers to communications and enabling conversations around the world with technology that is easy to use and affordable. Skype in the Classroom has been developed for a specific community of people who have a shared interest and are passionate about using technology in inventive ways in their classroom.»