Voicethread

toc =VoiceThread=

Group conversations around images, docs and videos

What is VoiceThread?
media type="custom" key="7611203"

Setting up
Setting up an account is very straightforward. Go to the [|site] and cllck on the "Sign in or Register" button. Fill in the required information. You can choose between a "Free" account or a "Pro" account. A Free account does have some limitations on VoiceThread creation, but you can easily upgrade to a VoiceThread Pro account with unlimited creation and advanced features. This usually costs about $2.50 a month.


 * BUT K-12 educators can apply for a free educator account by clicking the Go Pro! button and then by clicking the "K-12 educators click here." link on the bottom of the menu.**

Interesting features and other instructions

 * VoiceThread** offers a series of [|visual tutorials] to help you set up and manage your account. You should have a look at the following:
 * How to [|create a VoiceThread]. As easy as sending an email!
 * How to create several [|identities] in your VoiceThread account so that students can all contribute to the same presentation. Identities are like different personalities attached to an account.
 * How to use [|comment moderation]. Choose whether a comment can be viewed or not, delete unwanted comments. An important safety feature for teachers and for preventing spam.
 * [|Sharing a VoiceThread] is a way to invite people to view and comment on our work. You can do this while keeping control of what they can do.
 * [|Embed your VoiceThread] in other sites (e.g. a wiki)

top

A Tool for Collaboration
Responding to a VoiceThread lets the creator know his creation, ideas, story is important. It lets the students know the value of an authentic audience. It adds a collaborative aspect to the artifact as comments may lead to a new perspective. > http://voicethread.com/about/ > (explore the many ways you can comment) > > **Kinds of Comments:** > **What not to do:** > Do not just describe the picture > > **Comment starters:** As VoiceThreads live on the Internet, they are a perfect vehicle for collaborative projects within a class or inter-classes. Planning collaboratively at a distance can be done via a google doc, through Skype calls, or e-mails.
 * ===Commenting on a VoiceThread===
 * Add to the understanding of an image / comment
 * Respond to someone’s comment
 * Give another point of view
 * Ask questions to learn more
 * In this image, I noticed…
 * I wonder….
 * I would like to know about…..
 * This was interesting because….
 * I really liked…… because……
 * ===Co-Creation of a VoiceThread===

=Uses Professionally=
 * Have people comment on events in your school for feedback
 * Prepare a staff meeting agenda and have people make suggestions and comments

=Uses in the classroom= > Grade 2 Class: How to Be a Good Dad > See VoiceThread on Darfur
 * Promote discussion by having students comment on a picture before discussing it in person
 * Two words: Oral Expression!!!
 * Instead of a PowerPoint. Have students upload images as a presentation and have other classmates peer-review it.
 * Collaborate with other classes - post an image to represent a debate topic. One class can take the pro, the other the con.
 * Share your work and invite comments from family
 * Share ideas and solicit more on an issue (e.g. environment, news...)

==

==

Great examples
Here is a wiki devoted to VoiceThread in Education You will find many great examples here.

> You can find the larger version [|here]. > media type="custom" key="7611279" > In response to the question "How have you been influenced by the places you have lived and the people you have met?" students created and presented art work which they commented. Also a project on the use of repetition in art.
 * The Connected Classroom Wiki: Digital Story Telling This Wiki page is about digital story telling as part of your classroom strategies. It has a section on using VoiceThread (//scroll down the page!//) with links to many examples of how VoiceThread could be used.
 * [|Money, Money, Money>]Allanah King's class recorded their comments in a Voicethread about New Zealand's money. They used a resource from the Reserve Bank to find out about the coins and notes. You will find more examples of VoiceThreads and other multimedia uses on Allanah's Class Blog: http://moturoa.blogspot.com/
 * [|My Home, My environment].

media type="custom" key="7611287"

Learn how one teacher used VoiceThread as a digital portfolio media type="custom" key="7611437" from the K12 Online Conference Record, Reflect & Share: Voicethread as a Digital Portfolio by Chrissy Hellyer

Where to find pictures

 * Copyright-free images: a comprehensive list of sources.