Education

Education
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Sunday, June 21, 2015

Literacy Web Tool

VoiceThread

Link to VoiceThread: https://voicethread.com

Link to a previous assignment created in VoiceThread: https://voicethread.com/myvoice/#thread/6690075/34945989/36327671

We had the opportunity to use VoiceThread in the Educational Psychology class. It has been used a limited amount of times, but I wanted to expand my understanding of what VoiceThread is capable of doing. After conducting research, I found that VoiceThread is a literacy web-based tool that can create an interactive slideshow using pictures, videos, documents, or even using PowerPoint presentations. A teacher and student can record video/audio, which allows them to describe each slide in detail. People that view the VoiceThreads have the opportunity to leave responses and comments to anyone’s VoiceThread. This is a great tool to help support a writing workshop. It can be used to publish a class book, create informational texts that are narrated, and publish interactive writing about a class experience or topic. This tool helps to easily share published work. This tool helps students learn and practice skills that can be transformed facts into solutions. This tool can be used for students with special needs, advanced placement, and language study. The pros of VoiceThread are the following: versatility, accepts different types of file formatting, students create presentations on what interests them to create meaning, and students can create projects that integrate image, voice, text, and more. The cons of VoiceThread are the following: bandwidth when the entire class is working on it and lacking more ways to be creative. Future workplaces demand collaboration at anytime and anywhere so students will be more prepared by providing early academic exposure, continual support, and mastery. 
            Now that we have an understanding of what this Literacy Web Tool can do; I will provide an example of how I would use this tool in my classroom. My assignments, resources, and tools will be posted on a network to share with students, parents, and other teachers. I will create a homework assignment that will count towards their final grade where students will pick a topic that they enjoyed learning during the biology semester. The students will then create a presentation using VoiceThread to demonstrate what they have learned about the topic, what new things they have found through research, and why they enjoyed that topic. This will provide me with feedback about what topics were engaging and what topics I can modify instruction on. I feel it is important for students to have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences in class and be able to express their creativity in a visual presentation.
What I enjoy about VoiceThread is that it takes a look at current storytelling protocols and strategies. Previous research has encouraged that students learn best when stories are being told. New literacies can be integrated into the teacher’s instruction. VoiceThread improves reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. It is also developed for ELL students to engage in interactive discussions of different new literacies for pedagogical practice and demonstrate the power of digital storytelling to enhance learning for ELL students. Students get the opportunity to share their experiences and personal stories to become motivated to explore other pedagogical possibilities that can help ELL students to acquire new literacies and literate skills to broaden their educational experiences. Overall, VoiceThread provides a visual environment to enhance collaboration and communication skills by self-expression.

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