Voicethread

Yuen (2008) explains that Videothread is a Web-based digital-storytelling application that allows users to share their stories through audio, images, videos or text. It also allows visitors to make comments on their stories in five different ways: 1) voice with a microphone, 2) or voice with telephone), 3) text, 4) audio file, or 5) video with a webcam. The stories can be shared with anyone in the world or they can be kept private for selected individuals.


After playing around in Voicethread for quite some time, I found myself enjoying the freedom the tool provides to comment in it's various ways. I did however, struggle to upload any audio files any audio files but I can absolutely see the effectiveness of this application. If I was able to do this, it would have made for a more entertaining and informative collaborative piece of work. There are many learning potentials with the use of this program. For example, when students create an audio file, they focus their attention on their voice and projection therefore improving their speaking fluency. Another learning opportunity could involve loading an entire picture book onto Voicethread, then students are able to comment about various aspects of it in a collaborative and engaging way. The program can also be used to include real life learning elements, not to mention gaining skills in visual literacy. As Learning Managers we know that by teaching using real life contexts can be extremely effective. This idea is backed up by Marzano and Pickering (1997) when they explain that Learning Managers should construct tasks that are authentic, that is, related to life outside school. The image of the koala above represents just this. Students could express their thoughts, feelings, ideas on current affairs such as the Victorian bushfire's in a number of ways using the comment element of Voicethread.


Marzano & Pickering (1997). Dimensions of Learning (2nd Ed) Aurora, Colorado.

Yuen. S. (2008) Tech Learning Retrieved 16 August 2009 from
http://scyuen.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/voicethread/