Connecting with Students Online is Easy Using

VoiceThreadCSLA Conference

November 20, 2008

Jane LoftonTeacher Librarian

Lindero Canyon Middle SchoolAgoura Hills, CAjane@lofton.comjlofton@lvusd.org

What’s a

An interactive, collaborative, online multimedia tool that that holds images,

documents, and videos and allows people to add oral, text, or video comments.

?

Lots of media options…

Media types

Comment methods

Some Great Uses

• Booktalks• Tutorials• Presentations• Slideshows• Online conversations• Collaborative class projects• Telling a story• Practicing speaking

Some Examples …Booktalks…

http://voicethread.com/share/66632/Created by Jane Lofton & student Julia M.

Tutorials or Presentations…

http://voicethread.com/share/170855/

created by Jane Lofton

Online Conversations…

http://ed.voicethread.com/share/62276/ by Bill Ferriter on his Digitally Speaking wiki at

http://digitallyspeaking.pbwiki.com/Voicethread

Another Online Conversation…

http://voicethread.com/share/99673/ by Michelle Pacansky-Brock, Art History Professor, Sierra College

Embedded at http://voicethread4education.wikispaces.com/College

What Equipment Do You Need?

... Very Little!Important: A microphone (built

in on many computers)Optional: • A better microphone• Camera• Scanner• Webcam• Audacity software

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Mike and camera clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com

How to Create a VoiceThread

1. Set up an account (more on that later)

2. Click Create

Click Upload

Upload a file or files

Sort files as needed and add titles

Then, click Comment

Click Comment

Choose a comment option, then record, check, and save the comment. Comment on as many screens as you like.

Have VoiceThread call you

Record with your webcam

Record with your mike

Type your comment

Upload a file

Sharing Your VoiceThread

Click Share.

Choose sharing options.

Embedding Your VoiceThread

To embed, click here or here.

Then…

Embedding Your VoiceThread (cont’d)

Choose any of these options.

Finding VoiceThreads on the voicethread.com site

Keyword search

Mouse over a thread for a description

Browse

Account Options for Creating VoiceThreads:

• Free • Free educator (that’s what I

have)

• Pro• Ed.voicethread

Educators Get “Pro” Features Free of Charge

Free

Options for Students Adding Comments:

• Use your identities• Create their own free account (if they

are 13 or older, or their parents register)

• Use an ed.voicethread account you set up

Sharing a VoiceThread

• Share with individuals (email from the voicethread)

• Link to your VoiceThread from a website, email, etc.

• Embed it in a website, blog, or wiki*

• Make it public for browsing and keyword access at voicethread.com

*Examples at www.linderocanyonmiddleschool.net/library , www.linderobooks.blogspot.com, and https://linderolibrary.pbwiki.com/Library+Orientation

Creating a Free Educator Account

1. Click Sign In

2. Click Register.

3. Enter your name, school email and a password.

4. Click Register.

5. Click Apply.

6. Complete this form.

7. Click Apply.For more explanation of how to get the free educator account, watch this VoiceThread: http://ed.voicethread.com/share/238308/

Now, you will see a message like this. Then, you will receive an email with a confirmation link. Click the link in your email, and your account will be active!

Features Review… • Accepts many file types for uploads• Offers a variety of commenting options• Doodling option• Comment moderation option• Easy embedding in webpages, blogs, &

wikis• Zoom option• Sharing options• No software to install

Some Benefits Over Other Podcast Tools

• You can record audio in segments• Both graphics & comments can be

added & changed easily, at any time• You can easily pinpoint areas of the

screen with the doodler• You don’t need fancy equipment• It’s asynchronous, allowing for

participation at different times & from different places

Some Tips for Uploading images…

• .pdfs are recommended format for uploads of presentations

• Images work best at a 4:3 ratio and 1024 X 768 or larger <…………

4…………….>

<…

..…3

….…

>

Tip for Embedding images…

The embedded image can be any size. Adjust these figures, using a 4/3 ratio.

For Presentations, Tweak These Options…

Editing an Existing VoiceThread

In the MyVoice tab, click the Menu icon, then click Edit.

Or…

Editing an Existing VoiceThread

While viewing a VoiceThread, click the menu icon here, then click Edit.

Resources from VoiceThread

VoiceThread site: http://voicethread.com

Ed.voicethread: http://ed.voicethread.com

VoiceThread Education Account Brochure: http://cdn.voicethread.com/media/misc/Ed.VoiceThread.pdf

Explanation of how to get the free educator account and what the paid account offers: http://ed.voicethread.com/share/238308/

Other ResourcesVoiceThread 4 Education Wiki

http://voicethread4education.wikispaces.com/

Be sure to check the “Best Practices” page

Bill Ferriter’s “Digitally Speaking” wiki page about VoiceThreads

http://digitallyspeaking.pbwiki.com/

Includes lots of good examples and best practices tips

VoiceThread Ning

http://voicethread.ning.com/

Disruptive Technologies wiki page about VoiceThreads

http://disruptivetechnologiesk-16.pbwiki.com/Voice-Threads

Delicious VoiceThread bookmarks

http://delicious.com/search?p=voicethread

Access This Handout OnlineI have uploaded this handout to:

http://weloveschoollibraries.pbwiki.com/f/voicethread%20presentation.ppt

Also, please contact me with any questions.Email: jane@lofton.com or jlofton@lvusd.orgWork phone: 818/880-2134x8Home phone: 818/865-8010