VoiceThread is a free online tool that can be used for presentation and/ or collaboration. The premise is simple: upload virtually any type of media and it will appear as a series of slides which your audience can watch, toggle through and interact with. What makes this tool unique is its ability to handle comments and discussion while the slideshow is playing (more on this later).
Getting Started:
Now that you understand what a VoiceThread looks like, we can begin making one. After creating a free account, click on the top right of your screen. You will see options for MyVoice, Create, and Browse:
Consider the MyVoice tab to be your home base for your account. All VoiceThreads that you create will be located and editable from this page. In addition to housing all of your projects, this page also has a series of tutorials and troubleshooting tips. The Browse option allows you to look at (and comment on) VoiceThreads created by other users. Note: when you create VoiceThreads of your own, you have the option of sharing them with the community or keeping them private. Likewise, you can either allow or prohibit public comments.
Most importantly, the Create tab will bring you to a page where you can design your own VoiceThread. There are three basic steps to the creation process: 1. Upload files, 2. Add comments and 3. Share your project.
Step 1: Upload
Uploading your content is simple: you can upload files (movie, image, audio) directly from your computer, you can upload them from a specific website, use a webcam, or you can upload from your social networking accounts. Your options look like this:
As you add images, they will appear to the right of the upload box. Once you have uploaded all the images you want (free accounts are capped at 50 slides), you can edit them and rearrange their order by clicking and dragging them. For the purposes of demonstration, I’ll upload a couple of photos from my family’s trip to the beach:
Step 2: Add Comments
The second step is to add comments to your VoiceThread. After you click on the Comments button, you will be presented with a variety of ways to add them. You can add comments via phone, webcam, voice recording, keyboard, and/or direct upload (for example, uploading an mp3 to the presentation). The options are located along the bottom of your picture, like this:
Just click your selection to add whatever comments you would like. For this example, I’ll add typed notes to the VoiceThread. Notice that in addition text , you can also draw or annotate with your mouse. Additionally, you can add multiple comments to an image (audio and notes, for instance).
Once you finish adding your comments, use the arrow buttons on the bottom of the picture to move to the next image. Note: while you can add multiple comments to each image, the comments will play in the order they are added, so your comment will appear and disappear before the next comment begins. You always have the option to delete and/ or edit the comments you make on the VoiceThread, so don’t be afraid to play with your options.
Now you have a VoiceThread presentation that is ready to share with others. In my example (below), I added text, annotations and voice to my images. You’ll see that the VoiceThread plays much like an interactive video on the screen. Click on the movie to zoom in and out, or click the comment button to add your comment(s) to this VoiceThread (go ahead, try it!)
This is certainly a point worth emphasizing: real-time feedback, comments and discussion can occur within the framework of a single VoiceThread. For example, if a student shares their VoiceThread with the class, others can comment on their content in real time. The comments then become part of the presentation itself. Through interaction, the class can literally build a more well-rounded learning experience together.
Step 3: Share
The sharing options are perhaps the most unique and powerful aspects of VoiceThread as a classroom tool. When you click on the Share tab, you will see this:
It is important to understand that you have a variety of privacy options when creating a VoiceThread. At the top of the screen, you have options to share with friends, organizations and groups, or even browse through your contacts to email them a link.
You can control who sees your presentation as well as who comments on it (if at all) on the bottom left of this menu with the playback and publishing options. Also consider these options when assigning students to create VoiceThreads of their own– perhaps require students to comment on VoiceThreads created by their peers. Note: an unlimited number of comments are allowed on each Voicethread presentation so you can open a VoiceThread up to a class, the school or even the world.
Additional Lesson Plans and Resources:
Another important aspect of VoiceThread is the availability of resources on the site. Not only does the Browse menu allow you to view & comment on student exemplars, but the VoiceThread library contains teacher-produced VoiceThreads. These are searchable by content area and are also accompanied by lesson plans. This is a good place to look if you are interested in the tool but hesitant about putting one together.
Ultimately, this is a tool with a lot of promise; the variety of applications and inherent interactivity make it well worth exploring in your own classroom.
Reviews are based on a 5-point scale, and reflect the effectiveness of the tool, its relative ease of use in the classroom, and finally its capacity for generating interest with you and your students.
Effectiveness: 4
Ease of Use: 3
Fun Factor: 3
WHS Innovation Lab 