Skype
Skype is free software that enables you talk to someone on another computer anywhere on the Internet who is also running Skype. Skype includes chat and the capability to play realtime video during your conversation. Value added features enable calling landlines and cell phones.
Key Features
With Skype you can make free calls over the internet to other people on Skype for as long as you like, to wherever you like. It is free to download. Skype also offers pay as you go or pay monthly plans for unlimited calls to over 40 countries worldwide. Skype runs on computers running Windows, Linux and Mac and has apps for mobile devices.
Advantages
International students are using Skype computer-to-computer to talk to family members. Faculty teaching online course can use Skype to answer student questions as they arise, rather than asynchronously over email. Using video on Skype can also personalize the experience between student and professor.
Getting Started Documents
Go to Skype.com to create an account and then download and install the free software.