Voicethread Web Tools

Comment Please…..Using Voicethread
I think….
April L. Tincher
Walnut Creek Middle School
Web Tools for Learning 2009
Voicethread Web Tools For Learning

During this session...
Introduction to Voicethread
Examples of teacher and student created threads
Browsing the library on your own
Setting up free educator accounts
Walking through commenting and making your own thread
Voicethread Web Tools For Learning

What is a Voicethread?
Voicethread is a web resource that allows you to share media and have viewers interact with it.
Types of media included:
Pictures
Powerpoints
Video
Voicethread has their own introductory video which we’ll take a brief look at: http://voicethread.com/#q.b409

Why Voicethread Works
It gets all three of your types of learners- visual, auditory and kinesthetic.
By it’s nature it is interactive, dynamic and fun!
All learners in your class get a chance to participate.
With all the options it gives you a lot of flexibility for how you choose to use it!

Examples with Pictures
Using pictures is an easy way to get started. Depending on your subject content the way you use the picture could vary.
Ideas:
Using a picture to provoke discussion
Using a picture w/comment to explain class procedure: In and Out Bin
Having students identify parts of an object and what they do: A Typical Bacteria Cell
Using a picture to have students explain their understanding of a concept: How the Great Lakes Were Formed

Examples with Video
Demonstration purpose: Phases of the Moon
Think about how you could use something like this…..
You could upload video from teachertube or even discovery streaming
As a starting point for discussion. For example in Social Studies class: Inauguration 09
Student created videos about what they learned:
Cells Video by Middle Schoolers
Any other video created by students can be uploaded!

Group collaboration
With student accounts you can have groups collaborating about their learning.
Group Fossil Dig Project

Getting started
Go to the site, and browse around. You don’t need an account to just browse.
http://www.voicethread.com
To comment you must register for an account. This is also true for your students.
Student options for sign up:

personal email account
use a service like gaggle to get them a free email account to sign up with….
Or there is even a way to use one gmail account to sign up all your students under your account!!!

Let’s setup an account….
Sign up for a free account. This will allow you to be able to try out the commenting feature.
After you do the initial registration you will then go on to register for a free educator account (if you choose)

Free Educator Account
As an educator you get 2 GB of free space and unlimited threads.
This is a great way to try it out for a bit. Maybe even get started over the weekend! It is sooooo quick and easy to use.

pricing…. How to get a free educator account…..
Click apply here.

Once you click submit you will need to go to your email to confirm your upgrade and this message will appear. You are ready to go!

Commenting….
There are several ways to comment:
Type
Record your voice with a microphone
Record a comment with your webcam
Use your phone to comment
(there is a tutorial for this under the about link)
Commenting is simple, you just click on the comment button and then choose the type of comment you want to make….
http://voicethread.com/#q.b21651.i122786

Commenting options
Through commenting you can:
Have students record comments of something you want them to respond to.
You can record comments to go along with each image or screen your viewers see.
Create a discussion forum by having students listen to others comments and respond…

Creating a Voicethread: Step 1The Create Tab
My username and avatar
Choose the create tab.

Creating a Voicethread: Step 2Choosing the file to use
Click Upload and the box below will appear:
Browse to the file or enter a URL to upload from a website.

Creating a Voicethread from media sources
When you click on each option you get more info about that option.
The New York Public Library includes access to over 700,000 images that have been digitized for free and open access use!!!! What an amazing resource.

Creating a Voicethread- Step 2.5- Organizing and labeling photos
Add a title and description for this thread by clicking this link.
Once you have all your images uploaded they will appear like this.
You can drag pictures around to change their order.
For each image you can add a title and a link.

Creating a Voicethread: Step 3Recording Comments
Once your
pictures are
uploaded then
you can start
recording your
comments.
If you want to
do voice, just
plug in a
microphone,
or you can type
your text
Comment
instead.
When you click the comment button the options will appear

Creating a Voicethread: Step 3Recording Comments
Using the doodler:
http://voicethread.com/#e733724
Once you are finished with your comment:
Typed comments automatically save (if you don’t like it click on your image which will show the comment and click the garbage can to delete)
If you recorded a comment when finished it will automatically play back. You can either click save or cancel.

Creating a Voicethread: Step 3Recording Comments cont.
To record a comment for the next picture just click the big right arrow.
Repeat the process until finished.

Creating a Voicethread- Step 4Setting the Options
This is this options toolbar. We’ll look at this next.

Creating a Voicethread- Step 4Setting the Options cont.

Creating a Voicethread- Step 4 Setting the Options cont.
PRIVACY OPTIONS
Moderating comments means that you have to approve them before they will show.
This is good when you want to use the thread for assessment.

Creating a Voicethread- Sharing the thread
You can get a link which will copy and allow you to paste to your website or blog.
Under My Contacts you can click add and type the email of someone you want to share the thread with.

Investigation
and
Q and A
You can contact me at apriltincher@wlcsd.org or find me online