The document discusses the benefits of using the web-based tool VoiceThread in education. It describes how VoiceThread allows students to comment on multimedia content using text, audio, video, or drawing comments. This gives students who struggle with writing or oral presentations an alternative way to participate. The document highlights how VoiceThread boosts engagement and motivation for students with disabilities or learning challenges by providing a non-threatening format for participation and collaboration. It also notes that VoiceThread can be accessed using any technology, including home phones, improving accessibility.

1. Running Head: Web 2.0 Tools 1
Web 2.0 Tools
Mary Lanham-Bates
University of South Carolina Aiken
On my honor as a University of South Carolina Aiken student, I have completed my
work according to the principle of Academic Integrity. I have neither given nor received
any unauthorized aid on this assignment.
Mary Lanham-Bates October 30, 2013

2. Web 2.0 Tools 2
Mary Lanham-Bates
EDET 746, Spring 2013
Web 2.0 Tools
October 30, 2013
Web 2.0 Tools
Technology is a versatile tool that can truly enhance student achievement and
build a secure future for students of all ages. Effective technology allows students to
reach their greatest heights. Teachers evaluate technology to envision if it has the
capabilities to influence students in a positive, uplifting way. There is one Web 2.0 tool
that really speaks volumes of what true technology should embody. This Web 2.0 tool
is Voice Thread; it provides students with an opportunity to truly listen to their fellow
classmates’ comment and make logical connections to one another.
To begin with, Voice Thread is a web based learning tool that can “boost the
learning skills and motivation of struggling students as they work with multimedia to
explore subject areas, express their ideas, and share information—and all at their own
pace and learning level” (Brunvand and Byrd, p. 1). Weir (2013) described Voice
Threads as interactive media albums that are essentially online slide shows of
images, documents, or videos that enable viewers to comment on any slide (or at
any point in the video) by typing, recording an audio or video comment, or
drawing on the image itself. Voice Thread has helped some students who are easily
disturbed, academically challenged, and those with other issues, such as timidity.
Subsequently, current trends in education emphasize the importance of meeting the
needs of all learners; thus, this Web 2.0 tool provides teachers with a strategy to help
these students. In fact, there are some students who cannot read or express
themselves orally. It is remarkable that Voice Thread gives timid students a voice and
motivation to perform at a higher level.
Furthermore, there are students who “developed powerful habits of relying on
their teachers for work completion” (Brunvand and Byrd, p.1). Unfortunately, these
students do not have the skills necessary to complete assignments that involve formal
discussion or that have extensive writing requests. When these students are asked to
complete assignments on their own, they are not able to and so often do not gain the
desired skill. When this occurs, school engagement and learner codependence suffer
among this population. These “innovative technological tools, programs, and software
can be used to promote student engagement, motivation, and ultimately enhance the
quality of the learning experience for students with disabilities” (Brunvand and Byrd,
p.1). Imagine giving a student a voice, a way to express himself, a way to become an
active participant in a classroom. It is a necessity that some students are given a
chance to pursue.
Voice Thread is currently being used in the Academic Support classes at Saluda
High School. The students in these classes are delighted to have a tool that can make
them feel like champions. It gives them an opportunity to reach their goals and become
a member of the class. They enjoy working with the tool to improve their
communication skills and improve their writing skills for their core classes. It helps the
students feel more deserving of praise and more connected to the other students within
the district. Weir (2013) states that when more students participate more actively in

3. Web 2.0 Tools 3
digital discussions than in the classroom. He continues to say, “Students don't
have to be the loud one or the popular one to actually participate in the web
based discussion. So often students can’t learn or put their feeling in it unless
there are certain special educations. He says that teacher exploits the students'
enthusiasm by pushing them to engage in free writing, an activity he thinks is too
often overlooked. Weir (2013) "Because it's so motivating to the kids already,
they're willing to do those bits of writing I could probably never get them to do in
class.”
Weir (2013) states that one teacher commented about VoiceThread: "If I
asked them, 'Take out a piece of paper and do some writing about your thoughts
on the Sudan, or injustice,' I probably wouldn't get much." Yet his VoiceThread
on the Darfur conflict drew sixty-plus comments from thirty-six of his fifty-three
students. This is a typical story of teachers who see a complete change in
motivation with some of their students. VoiceThread allows these students to
explore writing in a non-threatening atmosphere without feeling negative about
the feedback from peers or even the teacher. The web 2.0 tool boosts shyness
and increases participation and motivation to learn. It becomes a safety net for
many students who would not have the courage to present their ideas on paper.
Also, the technology is particularly accessible because viewers can
comment using just about any technology -- including a good old landline.
Students do not have to have a fancy cell phone or computer at home to use
Voice Thread; instead, they can use their home phone to record their responses.
There are students who do not have computers at home or who do not have a
Smartphone, so the user friendly Voice Thread is a perfect solution. It allows
students to have the same privileges as other students. No student has to suffer
because of finances. It is easy to see how students could benefit from having the
accessibility of a house phone. Contrary to popular belief, cell phones have not
completely erased the home phone, for there are people who still rely upon the
home phone.
It's also easy to learn the basics of VoiceThread. Tutorials on the site help
students get started or explain more advanced features, such as video doodling -
- pausing a video and drawing on the frozen image like a sportscaster
commenting on a play. Most students enjoy advanced features such as these.
They also enjoy pretending to be someone like a sportscaster or meteorologist.
Not only can students comment orally but also they can use certain graphic
features to enhance their verbal responses. This can really make the responses
more unique and can arouse students to improve their comments and create
meaningful responses for their fellow classmates and teachers. Voice Thread
has the potential to help students reach their goals and respond creatively
without having to use the dreadful paper and pencil. There are students who
hate the idea of putting thoughts of the paper because they can be scrutinized
more than the verbal response.

4. Web 2.0 Tools 4
The irony of most writing abilities among students is that they struggle to
write responses, but they can express themselves orally sometimes to perfection.
Thus, Voice Thread becomes a happy medium for students. Most importantly,
educators can use Voice Thread in general education, self-contained, special
education, and one-on-one setting; it is very universal (Brunvand and Byrd, p.2).
An important ingredient for learning success in school is the ability to engage and
sustain attention to maintain motivation to complete tasks. Voice Thread empowers
these students who would otherwise feel secluded and voiceless; they now have a
means to become an active participant in class and build trust among their classmates.
Students with emotional, social, or behavioral problems must be given a chance to do
the tasks that their counterparts are able to complete. Since Voice Thread creates an
opportunity for students to engage with others, so students with ADHD, learning
disabilities, or even autism feel free to collaborate and maintain a strong voice. Imagine
a student who has never been able to engage in class discussion because they stutter
badly. With Voice Thread this student can create recording in intervals so that he or
she does not become stressed. Studies show that stress causes stuttering to worsen.
Also, imagine a student whose handwriting is so illegible that he or she is ashamed to
write responses that will be read by others. This very student could use Voice Thread
to create an original response that would not shed negative light on his or her writing
deficient. This student can create a connection to his or her classmates and feel
comfortable sharing ideas.
It amazes most teachers at how students struggle with self-esteem and do not
have any tools that can help them overcome this unique struggle. Teachers experience
a large amount of students who do not have the necessary writing skills to create a
logical, thorough response, so they tend to push away from truly expressing their ideas
on paper. Either they will not write anything or they will write a small amount that does
not illustrate their ideas. If students have trouble expressing their ideas on paper, then
they can depend on an innovative tool that can be accessed by any student. The
beauty of Voice Thread is that it free, user friendly, easy to learn, and interactive. Any
student can use the tool and not feel threatened by its features. Voice Thread can be
accessed through the students’ home phone which allows students who do not have a
computer at home or an expensive Smartphone to still be able to us the Web 2.0 tool.
Its interactive features are an advantage since students can have a discussion with as
many students as desired. The students can collaborate with students who live in
another town, another state, and even another country. The possibilities are
tremendous and the outcome is so unique, for students who have emotional, social, or
academic problems can become a productive member of the class and provide their
personal responses to other students who may actually benefit from their oral
contribution. Voice Thread is a 2.0 web tool that needs to be used more often, and
teachers who currently use it must begin to spread the word that this tool has the
potential to change the face of education. Not only does Voice Thread allow more
engagement within the classroom, but also it creates a true voice for all students, a
voice that can be shared and heard by others from all over the world.

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References
Brunvand, Stein and Sara Byrd, (2011). Using Voice Thread to promote learning
engagement and success of all students. Teaching Exceptional Children. 43(4).
Retrieved from http://voicethread.com/media/misc/support/JTECVoiceThread.pdf
Weir, Laila, (2013). VoiceThread Extends the Classroom with Interactive Multimedia

6. Web 2.0 Tools 6
Albums. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/voicethread-
interactive-multimedia-albums