I checked out the voice thread website too see what they are all about!.. they are pretty darn awesome, I think. This collaborative multimedia slideshow is an incredibly versatile application and I can most definitely see teachers utilizing the handful of features the voice thread offers.
My favourite feature is the ability for voice threads to be embedded. This feature enables voice threads to be exported and embedded into other websites, or exported to Mp3 players and DVDs. Exporting does cost 2.99$ a voice thread, or 10 for 20.00$. All the characteristics of the voice thread are downloaded: doodle, and all methods of commenting. What I think is so great about the embedded feature is how the voice thread then becomes something that can be archived.
The comment feature is another awesome aspect of voice threads. Students are able to comment in a variety of ways, through the telephone, microphone, text, audio file, or video. I think this feature encourages public discourse. Public discourse can be a difficult thing for many students to take part in. The voice thread however, promotes students to think about what they want to say and take their time to take part in the "conversation". When students are just beginning to break free of the things that hold them back when wanting to put in their two cents so to speak, the voice thread allows a protective shield because it is not face to face and detrimentally upfront. Even though it isn't upfront and face to face (which at some point will need to be addressed), their is still a sense of thoughtfulness and intimacy that technology sometimes tends to miss out on.
The whole idea of the voice thread has a sense of performance about it. I still remember being a kid in middle school and getting excited about the projects we would be working on if there was a goal like performance. Also, I think the voice thread is a way to make everyday projects special. Which is important, because when students feel their work is special, they naturally are likely to put in that special effort.
Excellent point about allowing students to partake in a conversation on their own time. Some of us need time for ideas to percolate before we're ready to jump into the sea of talk.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this important reminder!
Well you have inspired me to investigate voicethreads in a little more detail once time permits!
ReplyDeleteCarol, I certainly agree that some students can be very reflective with their ideas while others are chomping at the bit to get their ideas out. It is a great option for students to be able to come back to the project later to put their ideas out there.