Unit 2: VoiceThread

From KNILT

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Unit Objective

This unit examines VoiceThread, an interactive discussion tool that allows students and teachers to engage in content-based discussion. Through careful reading and your participation in the learning activity, you will work towards building a deeper understanding of how VoiceThread works and what it can do for your class(es). Click here to access VoiceThread's website.

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

  • Explain in depth benefits of text, audio and video in asynchronous discussion
  • Create, comment and share a VoiceThread

Lesson 1: What is VoiceThread and how do I use it?

What is VoiceThread?

VoiceThread is an online tool that allows you to create and foster content-based discussion online. Using VoiceThread, you can create virtual "threads," add comments, and allow your audience to participate in the discussion as well. Hosting your discussions on VoiceThread gives you and your students the ability to incorporate a wider array of multimedia, and the responses you get can be in multiple formats.

Click here to view a sample VoiceThread that I created.

What makes VoiceThread a great tool?

There are a number of reasons why VoiceThread is a great collaborative tool for classes. Here are some of them:

  • In-class discussions about course topics often lead to the sharing of new ideas and help students see past their own bias, but what happens to the conversation once the class is over? With VoiceThread, the conversation can continue well after the lesson ends. "Unlike a live classroom discussion, where students are forced to think quickly and respond in front of a group, VoiceThread makes it possible for students to contribute to the discussion at their own pace and only after they have clearly formulated the thoughts and ideas they want to share" (Brunvand & Byrd, 2011, p. 36). This gives students ample time to craft their responses and to carefully reflect on the driving questions for the discussion.
  • Unlike traditional text-based discussions that require students to actively read for understanding, VoiceThread mixes text, audio, video and images to fully engage students in learning. VoiceThread accomplishes this because "by planning occasional discussion topics and/or assignments requiring peer feedback, students can reap the benefit of their peers' opinions without having to reave a volume of text-only posts, and students can benefit from receiving the type and quality of feedback that can be difficult to get outside the physical classroom" (Koricich, 2013, p. 77). By allowing students to interact with their peers in a variety of mediums, instructors can expand the depth of collaborative activities.
  • Since audio and video comments cannot be edited once they are recorded, it forces students to carefully plan their responses. This leads to better responses from students. Also, VoiceThreads "can lead to more in-depth student responses through reflection and critical-thinking skills" (Panettieri, 2013, p. 643) because students have time to cultivate their responses while reflecting on the content or discussion prompt.

How do I create a VoiceThread Account?

VoiceThread accounts are available for free, however the free accounts have limitations. To create a VoiceThread account or to get more information about department and school/campus-wide licenses, please visit VoiceThread's Higher Education website.

How do I create, comment and share a VoiceThread?

Creating a VoiceThread consists of three steps:

  1. Upload: The upload step is where you choose what media you want to include in your VoiceThread. You can upload images, videos and audio files in addition to Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft PowerPoint slides, and PDF's. Multiple page documents, slideshows and PDF's are separated into different VoiceThread slides. Once your files are uploaded, you can click-and-drag to rearrange the order of your slides.
  2. Comment: The upload step is where you can leave text, audio and video comments on your slides. Comments by the creator are useful for giving personal introductions to the VoiceThread as well as information about each slide (i.e. narrations).
  3. Share: The share step is where you choose how you want to share your VoiceThread. You can share your VoiceThread with specific people, share a link to send in an email, or even embed your VoiceThread in a website.

Click here to view VoiceThread's documentation on Creating a VoiceThread and Sharing a VoiceThread.

Lesson 2: Exploring Potential Uses for VoiceThread

Although VoiceThread is a powerful tool on its own, you also have the option to integrate VoiceThread with your LMS or learning management system. Large schools and Universities with school or campus-wide licenses for an LMS (like Blackboard, Moodle, Desire2Learn, Sakai and more) and school or campus-wide licenses for VoiceThread can integrate the two systems, making management and grading of VoiceThreads much easier.

LMS integration aside, there is a lot of potential for VoiceThread in education, and a lot of different courses can use it. The following are some examples of how VoiceThread can be implemented in higher education courses:

  • Art/Art History: Instructors can post images of various works of art and students can discuss different aspects of the painting, sculpture, etc. such as the use of color and various techniques used by the artist. This allows students to share their perspectives on possible motives for the artists' choice in medium, color, etc.
  • Biology/Chemistry/Physics: Instructors can post videos of different scientific processes and students can post their hypotheses based on the given specific information. This allows students to analyze and think critically about the outcome of an experiment.
  • Business: Instructors can post images and videos of billboards and commercials, and students can discuss what marketing tactics are present. This can help students analyze marketing techniques and see how they are implemented.
  • Computer Science: Instructors can post images or documents that include computer code and students can post their analyses of what the code will do. This gives students the opportunity to critically assess code and predict its outcome.
  • Foreign Language: Instructors can require students to post introductions in foreign languages. This gives students the ability to practice their speaking skills, and instructors can critique students' pronunciation.

Activity

Read

Read the following article about using VoiceThreads to promote learning, and think about the possible implication for your class(es):

Write

Based on the article provided above, please post your answers to the following questions in a well-written discussion board post. Be sure to include any relevant information from your personal or professional experiences to enhance this activity. Take this activity as an opportunity to reflect on your current teaching practices and think about how VoiceThread can be used to enhance your class(es). To access the discussion board, please click the Discussion tab at the top of this window.

  1. What, if any, are the benefits of VoiceThread?
  2. What sets VoiceThread apart from generic text-based discussion tools?
  3. Thinking about your current class', can your learning activities be enhanced with VoiceThread?
  4. If so, how?
  5. What are your thoughts on VoiceThread? Do you see utility in VoiceThread?

Do

Now that you have an understanding of what VoiceThread can do, it's time to put that knowledge to practice. Please sign up for a FREE VoiceThread (or you can use an existing VoiceThread account if applicable) and create a VoiceThread that introduces yourself. Be sure to adhere to the following items:

  1. Include a variety of media (images, videos, audio, etc.).
  2. Use each of the comment types (text, audio, video and doodle) at least once.
  3. Share your VoiceThread's link in our discussion board. Click here to access the discussion board.

Reflect

Having created an introduction to yourself using VoiceThread, think about the following questions. Reflect on your current practices and how they can be improved using VoiceThread.

  1. How easy is it to use VoiceThread? Will your students be able to do this?
  2. What are some ways that VoiceThread can improve your class?
  3. Do students have the necessary equipment to use VoiceThread to it's full potential? If not, are there ways to get students the tools they need?

What's Next

Now that you have an understanding of how VoiceThread works and what it can do, let's move onto the next unit!

Please note that Unit 2 through Unit 5 can be completed in any sequence. Click the link below to access the following unit of your choice:

If you have completed Unit 1 through Unit 5 (in any order), click here to access Unit 6: Implement and Evaluate.

Click here to go back to the Course Homepage.

References

Brunvand, S., & Byrd, S. (2011). Using VoiceThread to promote learning engagement and success for all students. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 43(4), 28-37.

Koricich, A. (2013). Technology review: Multimedia discussions through VoiceThread.

Panettieri, R. C. (2013). VoiceThread: Learning beyond the classroom walls. Radiologic Technology, 84(6), 642-644.