1. The document discusses using Voicethread, a cloud-based tool, to enhance student engagement in educational settings. 2. Voicethread allows for asynchronous conversations through images, presentations, recorded comments, and videos. It can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection. 3. The document provides examples of how both students and teachers can use Voicethread for activities like pronunciation practice, presentations, evaluations, and discussions to increase participation and demonstrate learning.

1. Using Voicethread to Enhance Student Engagement
Summer Peixoto
Monica McCuistion
University of Kansas
TESOL 2015
E-Village

2. “With increased access to learning resources, tools and
information, students are drawn deeper into a topic than ever
before. They can even direct their own learning. In fact, when
done well, students don’t just learn with technology- they
create.”
Taken from http://researchnetwork.pearson.com/elearning/technology-can-boost-student-engagement

3. Why Voicethread?
Accessible: Anyone with an internet connection in the
world can access Voicethread.
User-friendly: Voicethreads are easy to create and share
individually or in groups.
Applicable: It is useful for all skill levels and all
educational situations.

4. What is Voicethread?
A cloud-based tool used to create, share, and
collaborate on individual or group discussion and
projects.
Utilizes "threading", or on-going, asynchronous
conversations in the cloud that center around images,
presentations, recorded comments, or videos.

5. Requirements and Access
Reliable headset with a microphone, internet, updated
Adobe Flash, and a reliable browser such as Firefox or
Chrome.
Access to help and a library of Voicethread samples are
accessible through the website.
Integrate with your current Learning Mangement System
Access the free mobile application through ITUNES and
Google Play.

6. How can Voicethread Enhance Student Engagement?
Assist students in constructing meaning
Hands-on work in or out of class
Collaborative learning situations promote exploration of content
Engage with course content in and out of class
On-going discussions
Active participation

7. How Can Students Use it?
Pronunciation Activities
Mini-Presentations
Self-Evaluations
Peer Evaluations
Group and Individual Projects
Discussion Activities

8. How can teachers use it?
✓ Assessment of oral skills
✓oral grammar
✓ discourse marker use
✓presentation skills
✓oral summary and response recording
✓Group work and conversation skills
✓Target pronunciation instruction

9. Examples
1. Example 1
2. Example 2
3. Example 3

10. Let’s Try it Out

11. Conclusions
Voicethread is an excellent tool to enhance student
engagement both in and out of class.
Students can share and express themselves orally at their
own pace.
Outcomes are measurable.
Demonstrated application of learned concepts.
Active and on-going participation is a natural element.

12. Thank you!
View our Weebly site at http://tesoltoronto.weebly.com/
Summer : summer@ku.edu
Monica: momax320@ku.edu

13. References
Bush, L. (2009). Viva VoiceThread: Integrating a Web 2.0 Tool in the Additional Language Classroom. In I. Gibson et al. (Eds.),
Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2009 (pp. 3247-3250).
Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved March 20, 2015 from http://
www.editlib.org/p/31146.
Brunvand, S., & Byrd, S. (2011). Using Voicethread to Promote Learning Engagement and Success for All Students. Teaching
Exceptional Children, 43(4), 28-37. Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://voicethread.com/media/misc/support/
JTECVoiceThread.pdf
Scardamalia, M., & Bereiter, C. (2006). Knowledge building: Theory, pedagogy, and technology. In K. Sawyer (Ed.), Cambridge Handbook of
the Learning Sciences (pp. 97-118). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Using VoiceThread to Create Meaningful Receptive and Expressive Learning Activities for Young Children - Springer. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10643-012-0521-1
Voicethread LLC (2007 - 2011). Home page. retrieved from https://voicethread.com/
Wardlow, L. (n.d.). Researchnetwork.pearson.com. Retrieved March 18, 2015 from http://researchnetwork.pearson.com/wp-content/
uploads/DigitalAge_EngagementScience_042914.pdf