Available at http://edtechvision.wikispaces.com/VoiceThread

Purpose: A VoiceThread is an online multimedia slideshow that is centered on group discussions around images. Creators of a VoiceThread can act as a presenter by using “comments” which are captured on audio through a microphone/telephone, through video using a web camera, or through text. The owner can then invite other users to leave their own comments or input on the slides. A project can be shared from the VoiceThread website or embedded in another website such as a blog or wiki.

The purpose of this presentation is to show VoiceThread and to share how educators are using VoiceThread to demonstrate understanding and facilitate collaboration in their classroom. VoiceThread offers enough flexibility to be used with a variety of K-16 classes and subject areas. The ability to use text, audio or video can differentiate instruction for diverse learning styles.

It will be very useful for the participants to have the opportunity to actually create a VoiceThread project during the presentation instead of being a passive receipient of the information. They can also reflect and discuss the features of the product and determine how they could use it in their curriculum. This presentation is appropriate for the new VoiceThread user or those who have some experience. Many curriculum extensions will be shared as well as additional resources and tutorials.

Instructional strategies that will be employed range from demonstrations, question/answers, reflective practice and cooperative sharing.

Additional electronic resources will be made available to all participants - include a collaborative VoiceThread wiki at http://voicethread4education.wikispaces.com

Objectives:

Participants will …
• understand the collaborative benefits of VoiceThread for students & teachers
• understand that VoiceThread is an online platform that can support the NETS*S
• receive hands-on practice to create VoiceThreads and recognize the possibilities for integration into all grade levels and subject areas.
• leave with additional resources and suggestions for best practices to continue learning beyond the presentation
• be presented with the opportunity to join a collaborative VoiceThread wiki.

Evidence of success
* Participants will have created a simple VoiceThread project
* Participants will have commented on another user's project
* Participants will be able to determine one curriculum area where they could use VoiceThread.

Outline (for BYOL)

Participants will be expected to have a VoiceThread account before the presentation. VoiceThread is an online multimedia platform and there are no differences for Mac/PC

Introduction - 10 minutes

1. Introduce VoiceThread along with goal and purpose of presentation
2. Show an example of basic VoiceThread presentation
3. Identify how VoiceThread connects with the NETS*S
4. Share URL of wiki with VoiceThread examples: http://voicethread4education.wikispaces.com.

Participants unfamiliar with VoiceThread can watch the sample and understand how VoiceThread meets several of the NETS*S. Advanced users can spend time browsing the wiki to see how other teachers are using VoiceThread and read about tips and techniques.

Create a VoiceThread sample - 25 minutes

Participants are welcome to just follow along with the creation of the VoiceThread or make their own.

Beginner Users:
Step 1: Plan your VoiceThread. What is the goal? Who is the audience? Who will participate? Suggested prompt: Debate the importance of these Washington D.C. locations, or share a personal story or memory (as opposed to only describing the images).
Step 2: Gather materials/equipment. Participants can either use the four images of Washington D.C that I provide or search for appropriate Creative Commons images for their own project. Optional equipment for commenting is a microphone or a cell phone.
Step 3: Participants will upload the images into VoiceThread, add title, description and choose sharing options.
Step 4: Participants will select an image that I provide for their “identity” or choose their own.
Step 5: Participants will type or record audio comments for each image.
Step 6: Share URL and invite other participants to comment

Intermediate Users:
Participants can follow the steps above as well as follow directions on presentation wiki (http://edtechvision.wikispaces.org/VoiceThread) for additional options such as: uploading slides from PowerPoint, using video, using 3rd party programs to record audio (Audacity or GabCast), exporting VoiceThreads, and the Doodling feature.

Best Practices and Practical Advice - 15 minutes
1. Review Digital Citizenship. Be aware of privacy concerns and consider using avatars instead of real photos, use only first names and do not reveal personal information.
2. Evaluate for copyright - consider using Wikimedia Commons or FlickrStorm for images with Creative Commons licensing.
3. Review features of Ed.VoiceThread for class subscriptions. Useful for those who need additional privacy or control features or for students <13.
3. Structure for planning. Have students use a pre-planning guide or use Inspiration to ensure quality work.
4. Model and encourage thoughtful commenting.
5. Recognize VoiceThread as an assessment tool (MathCasts, Reflective practice, formative and summative evaluations, portfolios)

Questions - 10 minutes

Supporting Research

Action Research Project:
When preparing my Literature review for my Action Research project (Master’s in Educational Technology - Pepperdine University) I investigated how to plan and structure lessons to engage students and utilize authentic learning experiences.

I discovered that students learn best when they are fully engaged in classroom activities. The North Central Regional Educational Laboratory reported that students who are engaged in the instructional process are more likely to maintain an interest in what they are studying than are those who are passive recipients of a prescribed curriculum. VoiceThread is an interactive platform. The collaborative nature of the site encourages comments, sharing and is interactive. The 2003 study "enGauge 21st Century Skills: Literacy in the Digital Age" reported that students who are curious often approach learning in unique ways. VoiceThread offers a unique medium that can be used with a wide variety of grade levels and subject areas.

The Education Alliance (2000) at Brown University in their “Good Models of Teaching with Technology” stated that real world tasks and primary sources connect learners to the world around them. Classroom activities should provoke student’s curiosity, be open ended and focus on the ability to produce relevant, high quality products. Students benefit from hearing perspectives other than their own. VoiceThread provides opportunities for students to see or hear opinions of others. Teachers can promote higher order thinking by infusing instruction with opportunities for students to read widely, to write, and to discuss. VoiceThread is one such platform.

Student engagement is the key to success and achievement in school. When students are given opportunities to participate in real world experiences, when they are asked to critically investigate issues and ask probing questions, and when they are given open ended, interesting learning opportunities - they will be motivated to learn. As educators, we must employ a variety of instructional strategies to meet the needs of differentiated classrooms and insure a classroom environment that is conducive to learning.

A few websites that recommend VoiceThread:

Top 100 Tools for Learning 2008 - http://www.c4lpt.co.uk/recommended/top100.html

Wesley Fryer at Moving at the Speed of Creativity - http://www.wesfryer.com/

50+ Web 2.0 Ways To Tell a Story by Alan Levine - http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/50+Ways

Paul Allison & The Writing Project Institute -http://teachersteachingteachers.org/?p=177

Presenter Background

Half of my 22 years of teaching have been involved in the area of technology. I currently teach 7-12 technology classes at a private Catholic school in Beaverton, OR. I have used VoiceThread in my classroom for 1 1/2 years and have presented VoiceThread conference presentations at the 2008 Innovative Learning Conference in San Jose and the 2008 OASL/WLMA Conference in Portland, Oregon. I have my Master's in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University. I was selected to be a Google Certified Teacher and I am an active member of Oregon EdTech PD Cadre.

In 2007 I started a collaborative VoiceThread wiki at http://voicethread4education.wikispaces.com where K-16 & ESL/EFL teachers, Librarians, and those who offer Professional Development can submit examples of authentic VoiceThread projects. The wiki also includes tutorials, curriculum ideas and tips for best practices. I was invited to discuss my VoiceThread projects on "Teachers Teaching Teachers" on EdTech Talk.

I blog regularly at http://www.edtechvision.org and participate in several online communities including Classroom 2.0, Twitter, and Google Certified teachers. I find these personal learning networks beneficial to my own professional development but have also been able to share resources and examples of how I use technology in my curriculum. I am a dynamic speaker and can present material in a concise, organized manner.

Thank you for your consideration.
Colette Cassinelli