Voicethreads

=Unit: Teachers learn how to use a Voicethread with students for a class project=

Goal:
The goal of this unit is three-fold:
 * 1) Teachers are introduced to Voicethreads, its potential and resources for support
 * 2) Teachers walk through steps to register and create a Voicethread
 * 3) Teachers walk through steps to implement Voicethreads for student to student collaboration for a class project

Where is Voicethread?

 * [] **

**What is a Voicethread?**
=== A Voicethread is digital storytelling at its best. This communication tool allows you to share your thoughts with the world about uploaded images. The conversation format is not an immediate chat environment, but an area to publish, share and respond to others. You have three choices as to how you will share your words: you may speak them, type them, or use a webcam if you are able to, and you may comment as often as you like and on any or all of the pages. Viewers can appreciate members' comments and even make comments themselves. Bring oral history to life in the classroom, as students narrate a series of images that relate to the skills and ideas they have learned in a particular lesson. ===

//Let's Explore some Voicethreads!//
[|math voicethread] [|poetry voicethread] [|social studies voicethread] [|50 states exchange]-sample for a project for elem schools to join

//Comment// using text and voice.
Go to this voicethread for teachers: [|Classroom 2.0] or go to one of the voicethreads listed above or another that you browsed and found. Make at least 2 comments using the steps below.

Commenting on a Voicethread in a nutshell:

 * **New users do NOT need to sign in or register, many voicethreads allow or solicite you to comment on them.**
 * To comment, click on the “comment” link. (if there is no comment button, unregistered users are not allowed to comment on this voicethread).
 * There you will have the choice of either recording your voice (microphone icon), typing your words (Letter A icon), or using a webcam (camera icon).
 * There may be multiple pages in a voicethread, and you can comment on any or all pages accessed by the bottom right hand arrow.
 * If you are happy with your recording or what you have typed, be sure to save. If not, hit cancel and you may re-record or re-type as often as you like. Click on the camera icon to use your webcam.
 * You may or may not be allowed use of the doodle function, or the telephone option (it costs money). This feature can be blocked by the owner as well.
 * **//All inappropriate//** **//or incomplete comments can be deleted immediately.//**

//Brainstorm// Potential Uses in Education:

 * Reflection
 * Retell an event, story
 * Review concepts
 * Pre or post activity
 * Science experiment documenting steps /results
 * Journal of progress
 * Debate topics
 * Open House demonstration
 * Book Reviews
 * Poetry and illustrations
 * Math prroblem solving

=
Voicethreads may be used by anybody. You do not need to register to comment on a voicethread. Educators are allowed to establish a free account to participate on the website. This entitles you to create up to 3 classroom projects. However, to establish more than 3 or to create student usernames, teachers will need the subscription service. Currently that is $59.95/ year. This allows the teacher to create 100 student usernames to use as well as multiple voicethread projects that can be managed on the same account.=====

First try a free account. Then when you are ready and if you have the funding, sign up for the annual account, since it begins at time of purchase, not academic year.
Video explains how teachers can register for a free voicethread Educator account media type="custom" key="4121581"

direct link to video: [] created by Jane Wilson using Jing

Create a Voicethread:
Planning the project is the most important part! Review some of the Considerations and [|Teacher Tips] before you create your project on Voicethread.com.

Video explains how teachers can create a new voicethread project media type="custom" key="4121553"

Guide for teachers to create and manage a Voicethread:
media type="custom" key="4113935"

PDF versions that can be printed:

Goal 3 - Voicethread Implementation
The teacher has created by a Voicethread or has chosen a Voicethread for the class to join. Students will use it for online student to student collaboration.

Guide for students to access and use Voicethreads:
media type="custom" key="4113939"

PDF versions that can be printed: for students

Where to go for more information about Voicethreads Content:
Voicethreads basics for teachers: [] 7 Things you should Know about Voicethreads: [] Further information from Voicethreads.com website: [] Blog dedicated to information about Voicethreads and its educational uses [] Best Practices

Teacher Tips: [|Handout_Voicethread_Tips4Teachers.doc] This handout is designed to describe three specific actions that teachers can take to ensure that Voicethread presentations are successful with their students. It is particularly helpful for teachers that are new to Voicethread.

Making sure you have read/listened to all comments on a slide: media type="custom" key="4113987"

contact Jane Wilson with suggestions or questions about this page: jfwilson1@gmail.com