Voxopop is an internet-based voice conversation tool that allows users to record discussions for language practice. It provides an authentic context for speaking practice with multiple interlocutors in pairs, small groups, or larger groups outside of class. Users can create talkgroups on various topics to respond to prompts, do oral presentations, or hold book clubs. After signing up and editing a profile, users can start a talkgroup, record new discussions, and find other groups by exploring different topics. Voxopop provides many uses for language learning but has limitations like not being able to save recordings outside the site or verify students' equipment.

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Overview

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I. What is Voxopop?
Internet-based conversation tool…
…with the ability to record discussions!
“Voxopop is essentially a message/forum board system that uses
voice instead of text.” (Voxopop website)
What you need:
Internet access
A microphone
Playback ability (headset or speakers)
Updated Flash player
Updated Java plugin

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II. Why should I use Voxopop?
Authentic context for “real” practice
Multiple interlocutors
Communication isn’t limited to instructor-to-student
or student-to-student
Pair
Small group
Large group
Outside of class group completely

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Voxopop for Listening & Speaking
Responding to prompts (homework or quizzes)
Oral Presentations
Radio shows
Pronunciation

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Voxopop for Reading & Writing
Analysis discussions
Responses to texts
Response prompts (by instructor)
Book reports
Book clubs

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Voxopop for “Etc.”
Group lesson debrief
Question-Answer sessions
(Everyone needs a little extra help after grammar
lessons…)
Teacher feedback

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III. How do I use Voxopop?
Sign up.
Edit your Profile.
Enter an existing “Talkgroup”, or
Create your own Talkgroup.
Invite people to your Talkgroup.
Create new discussions for your Talkgroup.
Talk!

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A. Sign Up!
Go to: www.voxopop.com
Click on the “Sign Up, Join In” icon.
Enter all the information on the Sign Up page.

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B. Edit Profile
Add information about yourself…

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B. Edit Profile
Record a personal audio introduction!

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B. Edit Profile
Playback is important!

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B. Edit Profile

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B. Edit Profile
Yay! 

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C. Start a Talkgroup
Click on “Start a Talkgroup” in the menu at the
top of the page.

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C. Start a Talkgroup: Step 1
Choose a name for your Talkgroup.
It must be specific enough for students to find, but
not too complicated to remember/type.
Add the “type of group.”
Add the “category.”

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C. Start a Talkgroup: Step 2
• Choose an appropriate “Access Level” for your
Talkgroup:
For classes, private is best.
• This means you’ll have to do the work of enrolling
your students in the Talkgroup.
Or, you can make it restricted until all users have
enrolled, and then change it to private.

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C. Start a Talkgroup: Step 3
• Add a “custom” image and choose a color
scheme for the Talkgroup page.
– This is the most difficult part of using Voxopop!
They won’t let you proceed without an image, but it
takes some time to find an image you like that is
within the 2MB size limit.
Suggestion: find an image you like that is 2MB and
keep it somewhere safe for the next Talkgroup!

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C. Start a Talkgroup: Step 4
• Add a description. Choose something that
makes as much sense to you as to your students.
• Add any rules that you might want to impose on
your class.
Example:
Recordings must be at least 1 minute long, but not
more than 3 minutes long.

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C. Start a Talkgroup: Step 5
• Add a website (if there’s anything related to the
activity, like an extra resource).
• Add discussion categories.
This is so you can group all the Talkgroup’s
discussions according to topic and keep yourself
organized!

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D. Record a New Discussion
• From any Talkgroup, click “record a new discussion.”

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YAY! 

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Congratulations!
You have
created a new
discussion!

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E. Finding Others’ Talkgroups
• Click “Explore” in the menu on the top.
Search for topics that interest you.
Type here.

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TOEFL Talkgroup: Pronunciation

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IV. Summary
• Advantages
– So many uses!
Easy to create new Talkgroups and discussions.
Disadvantages
– No way to save the recordings outside of Voxopop.
Not instantaneous communication (no chance of communication
breakdown, no pressure).
Sometimes you get an error message when returning to the homepage.
– Some say that uploading takes “forever.”
You can’t verify students’ equipment at home.

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V. Resources
• A Teacher’s Wiki:
– http://voxopop1.wikispaces.com/Voxopop
Voxopop on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/voxopop
• Voxopop on YouTube (one video of many):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fwUtkD5Cs4

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VI. Questions?
• For future questions…email me!
caitlin.cornell@haigazian.edu.lb