VoiceThread is a collaborative tool that allows users to create and house online conversations based around an image, set of images, document, video, or even PowerPoint presentation. The creator and users can view the content and listen to or read comments on the slides within the VoiceThread and then add their own. This way, a conversation around a specific artifact or subject can grow asynchronously and stay housed for users to add to or refer back to as they wish over time.
In my opinion, VoiceThread is extremely easy to use. Anyone who can attach a document to an email will be able to upload media to the VoiceThread to create a thread. There is no software to purchase or download; everything is contained on the VoiceThread website. As a commenter, VoiceThread is even easier to use. If your computer has a microphone, you can easily record comments just by speaking or if you are not comfortable recording your voice you can type a comment. There is also a drawing feature of the commenting function that allows the specific comment to draw attention to part of an image or a slide, which is very handy when discussing a specific detail of an artifact.
VoiceThread is helpful for organizing thoughts around a specific idea or artifact and replicating a classroom conversation without actually having to be in the classroom all at one time – which is useful for distance education students. As a teacher, VoiceThread can provide an opportunity to continue thinking about or discussing a topic after it’s been covered in class, or to introduce a topic, idea, or assignment using multimedia and providing students an opportunity to ask questions, brainstorm and collaborate.
I think that this is a tool that is worth learning. It’s ease of use and versatility along with its design toward aiding collaboration make it very flexible, engaging and applicable in the classroom.
Here is a link to a VoiceThread I created for ETAP 520 on Persuasive Communication: https://voicethread.com/?#u1748158
I've used this tool before in another online class. I agree it is very useful and even fun to use. We used it as an ice breaking activity to meet the other students in our class and to share our backgrounds and information. It was a lot more interesting than reading through a bunch of profiles on a page. It allowed us to add voice and pictures which made it a more personal experience. It gave classmates a personality, not just a screen name.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that it was easy to sign up for and no downloading required made it a great benefit. That makes it very appealing to kids and schools since there is no fee for running a program that still has the ability to do so much.
I agree this is a great tool and the difference between how simple it is to learn and the potential benefits of it are tremendous.
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