EXPLORATION EXERCISE

1.  

    

2. View  at least 3 of the 72 VoiceThreads that are publicly available at http://voicethread.com/#q.  As you review these examples, write down additional curricular connections you envision.  Also, check out VoiceThread Book Talks from the Lindero Canyon Middle School Library.  Here's an idea for the Maryland Blackeyed Susan Book Awards you can do with your students.  Another example to see is the Information Literacy VoiceThread of the School Library Media Cohort IX.  A recent addition to VoiceThread demonstrates how VT can be used for professional development.  See below:

    

   BookTalk discussion with Readicide Author Kelly Gallagher

   Bill Ferriter of The Tempered Radical Blog is hosting a discussion with Kelly Gallagher, the author of How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About it. The topic is critically important and the conversation has already generated some pretty amazing discourse. Please stop by to listen and contribute, http://ed.voicethread.com/share/303482/.  Also, check out a recent article in Edutopia magazine about VoiceThread use in the classroom (make sure you visit the resources at the bottom of the article).

3. Which one of the 3 that you reviewed demonstrates the most effective use of VoiceThread?  Why was this one most effective?  Which was the less effective and why?  If you need to explore more examples in order to answer these questions, by all means do so.  This exercise will give you more ideas about curricular connections as well as the opportunity to see in action many of the VoiceThread features. 

   .

4. Are you wondering how to use some of the special features, e.g., 5 ways to comment, doodling, how to get an image(s) into VoiceThread?  Erase the mystery and learn how the magic is created by viewing the short tutorials at http://voicethread.com/about/  After viewing the tutorials, which feature seems the easiest to do?  Which will be the most commonly used features and why?  How about a resource to guide students in thoughtful commenting on other's work or comments - this is an emerging 21st skill to prepare students to actively engage in conversation using Web 2.0 collaborative tools.   

   .

5. By now you are probably thinking about a great curricular connection that you want to design.  Write down some of these these ideas, including possible sources for images. 

   .

   • Check out the New York Public Library's unique VoiceThread portal at nypl.voicethread.com where you can find and make copies of VoiceThreads created by the amazing staff of the New York Public Library. These Learning Modules include expert commentary explaining the background of the images and provide a starting point for further exploration and ideas for use of these source materials in the classroom.  

     Over 700,000 historical images from The New York Public Library's Digital Gallery< http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/index.cfm > are now freely and instantly available whenever you're creating a VoiceThread. Their new Media Browser allows you to search or browse these primary source materials - maps, photos, drawings, paintings, posters and more, and then import them directly into any VoiceThread. Links back to the original location of the images on the web are automatically inserted to make citing and attribution easier for you and your students. 

    

Are you wondering about the equipment you will need?   That's easy - a computer.  I recommend testing your built-in microphone for sound quality.  If you are not satisfied, you can purchase a separate microphone that plugs into a USB port.  These are very inexpensive and can be purchased at any store that has computer supplies, e.g., WalMart, Target, Best Buy.  Choose either a headset microphone or a desktop - it's your preference. 

. 

APPLICATION EXERCISE

1. Now that you have a working knowledge of VoiceThread, you are ready to experiment with creating your own VoiceThread.  To ensure that you have an outstanding product, first determine the "purpose" of your VoiceThread.  Draft an outline of what you want to say to introduce the purpose and response prompts (if needed) for persons you intend to invite to contribute to your VoiceThread.  What images are you going to use?  In order to make it easier when you are creating your VoiceThread, download into a folder in My Documents/ MyPictures the images you wish to use.  Perhaps you have many pictures you took with your own camera?  Perhaps you have a subscription to an image library?  One that I use and it is worth every penny is ClipArt.  Do not use images that are copyright protected.  Some possible sources of images that are public domain or licensed for BCPS use are FedFlix,Safari Montage (search images).  Also, check out the Wikipedia public domain listing of image collections.

   .

2. Register for a free VoiceThread account .   Some many want to jump right in and begin designing your VoiceThread; however, if you are one of those persons who read manuals before you operate a new piece of equipment, etc., then you might feel more comfortable checking out the VoiceThread FAQ.. 

   .

3. Start designing by clicking the CREATE tab and uploading images.  See the screen shots of the first steps in the design process.

   .

4. Now you are ready to label each slide with a title (see #3) and then add COMMENT (see #4).  Comments can be text or voice via a microphone and even a telephone.  See screen shots below to add voice comment.  If you choose to add a TEXT comment, click text and start typing in the pop-up box.

   	5.  To SHARE your VoiceThread, click SHARE (see #7) and ADD (see #8). Type in email address(s) and SEND Invite.  Also, decide if you want your VoiceThread PRIVATE or not . . private means that ONLY persons you invite have access to your VoiceThread.  To return to working on your VoiceThread, go to the VoiceThread homepage,login, and select your VoiceThread. See screenshot and directions below.

5.  ..

6. ........

7.   

EXTENSION AND REFLECTION EXERCISE

1. VoiceThread has some cool options for SHARING and EMBEDDING your masterpiece.  See illustrations options below.  Extend your learning by experimenting with these features.  To get started, open the MENU wheel and click SHARE.  (See last illusration above.)  Some things to try are:

• Embed your VoiceThread in your i-Google, MySpace, FaceBook.

• Email to yourself or a friend (two ways to do so). 

• Copy the URL link and paste into your website or email to a friend or yourself.

  .

SHARING Options are below:

.

2.  Extension Activity #2

With doodling, you can draw on top of the media as you record your comment (using mic, webcam, or keyboard). VoiceThread's innovative video doodling feature allows you to control the playback of a video, while doodling and commenting on specific video segments. VoiceThread doodles are synced to your comment, showing viewers your thoughts in action.  View how-to doodling video and Doodling video.  Get started doodling.  See illustration below:

.

REFLECTION

How would you use VoiceThread to support/extend vaious curricular units?  When planning to launch a VoiceThread project with students, what would you do to ensure success for your students?  What do you think are the most important and/or critical aspects, e.g., collaborative planning with the classroom teacher or library media specialist, content outline, finding and uploading images, equipment and technical considerations?