Voice threads is an e-tool I unaware of until now. A voice thread can hold an entire a group discussion around media whether it be images, video, documents, presentations, or any combination of them. It is a user friendly interactive environment that enables anyone with the ability to view voice threads to participate in them whether that be by phone, file upload, webcam, microphone or text and a participant can even draw while they are commenting. Students are able to completely control their comments and can delete them at any time.
Kearsley and Shneiderman (1999) explained that “an ICT environment, is best suited to providing a meaningful and authentic experience for students, one that can be configured to simulate the kinds of experiences students will face outside of the classroom.”
Teachers have been using images to provoke thoughtful conversations with students 'about the stories behind the picture” (Muth and Papell 2007). This means that conceivably voice threads could be used to integrate literacy and technology as well as promote collaborative group work in an online environment. This new technology allows us to extend on this and enables a continuation of the learning from home as well.
Link to my voice thread.
http://voicethread.com/share/768775/
In this voice thread I have asked people to consider a quote "Teachers rate more attractive pupils as having greater academic potential" (Clifford, 1975) and have used a photo of school seats as a backdrop to both the quote and the context at which we are examining it in. I am eager to hear whether people agree with this statement and what their thoughts are regarding it.
Please come and comment.
Image courtesy of:
http://www.will-lion.com/mindbites & http://www.flickr.com/photos/josephrobertson/112295678/
References
Clifford, M. (1975). Physical attractiveness and academic performance. Child Study Journal, Vol. 5, pp. 201-209.
Kearsley, G, and Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A Framework for Technology-based Teaching and Learning, 1-6. Retrieved 28th November, 2009 from
http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Muth B. and Papell, B. (2007) VoiceThread FAQ. Retrieved December, 01 2009 from http://voicethread.com/help/faq/
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Hey
ReplyDeleteYou've described voicethreads and their capabilities very well in this post. I consider their use most beneficial for the visual learners and the digital natives among us. Unlike other educational tools, the image is the central feature in this elearning technology with either short audio or text descriptions taking the secondary. Thus, the visual element needs to convey a lot of the message. In this respect I beleive that finding appropriate images is critical to the effectiveness of this technology. However, when voicethreads are well developed, their utility in promoting short response feedback through comments and sparking further thought and discussion on subject matter is extremely beneficial to students' learning experience.
Regards
Lyneale
Hi Lyneale,
ReplyDeleteThankyou for your response. I agree with you though I see the appeal for voice threads could easily extend to us 'digital refugees' (or as I prefer to think of myself a digital voyeur) as well because it is closer to what we understand and are used to.
The concept of having a discussion where you get feedback from others to develop your own ideas is a very old one, I think, and perhaps more than any other e-tool this one seems to encourage that.
Sometimes I think that us refugees (me lol) appreciate that repartee more than we like the e-tools such as powerpoint. They move a lesson along at a fast pace but they remove a lot of the discussion from the classroom as well.
I think that I noticed that a lot when I first started uni, it sort of inhibited the free discussion and exchange of ideas that I had thought would be a part of uni life. I guess that that can easily happen though when you have a lot of curriculum content to get through in a short amount of time.
Cheers,
Sharon