Brief Introduction to Peer-to-Peer TechnologiesWhat is peer-to-peer?The term "peer-to-peer" has various meanings in different circumstances, when mentioned in the context of digital and network settings, especially today with the popularity of Internet use, this term is often used to describe a type of decentralized, distributed network architecture, in which individual nodes in the network act both as providers that as consumers of data resources (ref. ); these nodes, i.e. the “peers”, are actually end-user devices, such as personal computers, PDAs, iPads and mobile devices with Internet accessibility. Initially, as different types of end-user devices become common in people's daily lives, they are often connected to each other via local networks to certain central servers to access files, video, audio and other information. These central servers are typically more powerful than personal computers, so any large data processing can take place on these central servers, allowing end users to download files to their computers. Unlike centralized client-server network architecture, where clients require access to resources provided by central servers, peer-to-peer networking will "share" computing power among multiple interconnected peers, each of which uses a part of its resources, such as data processing, disk storage or network bandwidth etc., directly available to other network participants without the need for any coordination by central servers (ref.). In peer-to-peer network architecture, various end-user devices become much more powerful; they are now able to process data locally rather than on central servers. This allows peer-to-peer...... middle of paper ......and calls up to five users with the possibility of text chat and immediate file transfer. Skype can be integrated with existing distance learning and provides another enriched learning venue. Students can use Skype to visit other classes via online video/audio conference calls in different geographic locations, which makes this particular peer-to-peer technology an excellent tool for teaching foreign languages. For example, a native English (or French) speaker can offer online tutoring via Skype to multiple users from non-English speaking countries. Jive Communication now offers such virtual educational services for individual and institutional clients (ref.). Skype is used as a facilitation tool and also as a communication channel to coordinate learning activities, as long as individual and institution clients have access to computers and the Internet..