Voice Threads are an instrument of communication where you can create a presentation of photographs and/or videos and provide comments. Viewers have the option of making an audio comment and/or a written text text comment. If the commenter does not have a voice recorder on his or her computer, you can type in your phone number by clicking on the phone icon, and the program will call you and record your message into the phone, and post it shortly after.

There is also a special doodle feature where, if you want to point something out or draw attention to a given point, you can circle it, highlight it, or make any drawing you like, so that when the thread is shown, your marks will appear to the viewers. If showing a video and you want to point something out, you can pause it and keep talking about it, and use the doodle tool to enhance your comments, as well. A special feature, especially for use in the classroom is that the creater can moderate the comments that appear to the general public by choosing to turn comment moderation on. Once the comment is approved, then others who view the thread can hear or read the comment.

There are many ways to use voice threads in the classroom. It can be used for an individual presentation as a sort of adaptation or advancement on a powerpoint presentation. It can also be used for a group project because anyone with an account can comment on the photo or video that is displayed. This can be beneficial as a way for one class to share with another class what they are studying, or parents to see what their students are learning and creating in class. It also provides a voice for those students who are less outgoing and vocal in class. If a student feels uncomfortable speaking their thoughts or response, that student may type instead.

http://voicethread.com/ - q

Step-By-Step directions to starting your Voicethreads account and basic design: http://langwitches.org/blog/2008/06/19/digital-storytelling-part-vi-voicethread/

Here is a fantastic website on how to get started with Voice Threads in your classroom: http://digitallyspeaking.pbwiki.com/Voicethread

Experiment first, making sure that you know your way around the site before your students come to you with questions. Start by giving them simple tasks, and work your way up to a big, creative project.

Take advantage of time- and energy-saving features, such as the ability to copy previous voicethreads to use in your classroom. Teachers are supposed to be great thieves, and this is a good opportunity to save yourself some effort and redirect it toward creating a really good lesson.

Consider highlighting especially insightful comments in front of the class. This is great motivation for students and a nice ego boost for students whose comments are shown.

Make sure you stay involved in the discussion with your students. It is important for the students to get an idea of what is expected in their comments: level of insight, structure, grammar, etc.

Start small: don’t feel pressured to upload a ton of images at the very beginning. Your project will develop a life of its own once you get the students involved.

Here is an article from Edutopia about the use of Voice threads in the classroom:

http://www.edutopia.org/voicethread-interactive-multimedia-albums