So...You Wanna Use Voicethread

I think collaboration and reflection are 2 of the biggest skills that kids need but aren't really getting enough of. Having the opportunity to work together in meaningful ways and to reflect on their work and the work of their peers is key to being a learner. There are lots of tools that you can use to help kids collaborate and reflect. Blogs are a great example. Podcasts are another. However, each can be daunting to set up and actually do.

That's why I love Voicethread.

What is Voicethread you ask?

It is a multimedia slideshow that allows users anywhere in the world to collaborate.

Here are the basics:

1. Create a free account.
2. Upload images, documents, and videos to the presentation.
3. Share.

Yep. That simple.

Once the Voicethread is created is when the magic happens. Comments can be left around each part of the slideshow either by voice, text or video. You can also annotate comments as well. Everything can be embed on a webpage or in a blog for even easier sharing.

Here is one I did a while back asking for my Personal Learning Network (PLN) to give me ideas on what their PLN means to them?



You can see there is a mix of comments, some text, some audio and some video. And this one was just one simple image. The possibilities are really endless.

Just a couple of ideas:

• Using a single image or a series of images to introduce a topic to students. Have them comment about what they know or what they are thinking before beginning a unit. 
• Instead of having students create a Power Point, create a Voicethread that they get to narrate and share with the class. Other students can leave comments on the different parts of the presentation.
• Creating a "Get-To-Know-You" slideshow for the beginning of the school year. 
• Literary review

Here are my favorite resources for learning about and using Voicethread in the classroom:

• Using Voicethread For Digital Conversations-My friend Bill Ferriter has some great student examples of Voicethreads as well as some guides to download to help students through the creation process and to walk them through commenting. 
• The How-To Voicethread Wiki-This site has some great screenshots and suggestions how to make your Voicethreads and how to do more with them. 
• Voicethread Digital Library-If you are looking for inspiration on for ideas or just want to see some really neat projects check out the Voicethread Digital Library. You can find Voicethread examples for all grade levels and curriculum areas. 
• 26 Interesting Ways To Use Voicethread In The Classroom-Another presentation full of ideas. 
• Voicethread As A Digital Portfolio-This great post explains how one teacher collected and shared each students' work for an entire year and used Voicethread as the portfolio. 

Another great feature? They have an iOS app. So you can create Voicethreads with your iPad or iPod touch. Awesome!

Remember, Voicethread is free. All you need is an email address. They do have K12 accounts available if you want to go that route.

What are your favorite Voicethread resources? Did you do an interesting project with it? Leave a comment or share below!

photo credit: flickingerbrad via photo pin cc

Why A PLN?

Later this week I will be presenting at the North Carolina Technology In Education Society (NCTIES) Annual Conference. For one of my sessions I will focus on how I discovered the power of the Personal Learning Network (PLN), how I built mine and how other educators can do the same.

Whenever I do sessions like this I always get the question, why? Why a PLN? Why do I need to connect to other educators? What is the point? For me, the advantages are obvious. But just like when I do a technology workshop, the points of view of other educators are more important. I can stand up all day long and tell how wonderful they are and give evidence of that but there is something about hearing it from another classroom teacher that makes it meaningful.

So how could I do this in my session? I guess I could secretly fill the audience with members of my PLN and I could "call" upon them randomly and ask them. But educators are smart and they might get wise to that. I could Skype a some teachers but that can get complicated. Then it dawned on me. Voicethread. I recorded what I needed and put it out to my PLN. I wanted to hear stories of how the PLN did something for them or if asked the same sorts of questions, what do they say. I got an overwhelming response and I wanted to share what was shared with me. So below is the Voicethread that I will share in my session. I encourage you to listen to and read every response. They all tell the story of Why A PLN.



If you have a story or a reason to Why a PLN please leave a comment on the Voicethread. The more comments the better!

On a side note: If you will be at NCTIES this week you can catch my sessions both on Thursday. The first at 3:30 in Room 301B. There I will be talking about the tools that Administrators need to start their journey to being tech savvy. And of course my PLN session at 4:45, also in room 301B. Hope to see you there!