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VoiceThread

Materials required
Implementation procedure
Strategy in practice

  • Devices (computer, tablet, or mobile) with Adobe Flash installed on them

  • Internal or external webcam and microphone

  • Internet connection

  1. Navigate to VoiceThread.com and create a free or premier account.

  2. Use VoiceThread to facilitate conversations in multiple ways such as voice, video, or text around your own work.

  3. After creating your VoiceThread, you can export it into a movie file and share the link.

  4. Use VoiceThread's commenting options such as text, microphone, webcam, etc. to contribute and/or review others' voicethreads.

Arya is keen on inculcating visual thinking strategies in her sixth grade art class. She sources images of popular art works from around the world and collates them in a presentation. She then uploads the presentation into VoiceThread and enables the commenting feature. She then invites students to log into their free accounts and start a conversation around the art works that interest them.

Things to keep in mind

  • Cost: free and paid options, depending on desired features

  • Pros

    • No download required since VoiceThread is a cloud application

    • Over 50 different types of media can be used in a VoiceThread, or so they claim!

    • Various privacy settings supported (VoiceThread can be private, shared with a small community, or public)

  • Cons

    • The free version has a few limitations as compared to the premier version, so the activity will need to be designed accordingly

The students go through the different images and start commenting and conversing with each other about what they see and what interests them. Students use the text, voice, or video modes to leave their comments, whereas some other students use all three modes.

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Since each student can choose how he or she wants to participate, the conversation that takes place is multi-sensory and diverse, and acts as a springboard for richer classroom discussion.

References:

Pacansky-Brock, M. (2013). Best practices for teaching with emerging technologies. New York: Routledge.

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