While the majority of recent Skype news has been about a more serious topic, there have been several stories related to Skype Gear in school, work, home and software contexts over the past few days that are worth sharing.

1. Skype at School: Language Learning
2. Skype at Work: Business Traveller
3. Skype at Home: Video Roundup
4. Skype with Software: Mashable Enhancement Roundup

###Skype at School

An article in the Christian Science Monitor discusses how several colleges are using Skype with webcams (looks like a Logitech in the photo) to enhance their language teaching. Students at Marquette University in Wisconsin USA have 50 minute conversations with students in Spain and Italy, spending 25 minutes speaking in Spanish or Italian and then 25 minutes speaking in English. These conversations won't substitute for actual teaching, but engaging with native speakers is certainly a great way to practice and become more confident at speaking another language.

###Skype at Work

Another cool use of Skype was recently highlighted by Marc Saltzman from the Montreal Gazette--on a recent business trip to China he was able to keep in touch with his family in a very meaningful way:

Let me tell you - seeing your kids wave, blow kisses and hold up artwork made in kindergarten class can seriously bridge the distance and reduce homesickness experienced by frequent travellers.

###Skype at Home

On a more home-related note, Shiny Shiny recently did a video roundup of Skype-certified phones including the IPEVO Free.2, Topcom Webt@lker 5000 (review, store), Philips 841 Cordless Phone (review, store) and DUALphone 3088 (review, store). Video below:

###Skype with Software

And finally Mashable has put together a list of over 50 software-related Skype enhancements. While many of these are only peripherally related to Skype hardware (and not all are Skype-certified), they do provide many interesting and useful enhancements using the Skype API, including call recording and displaying the songs you're listening to in your mood message.