Voice Threads

Voice Thread is one of the technologies that peaked my interest several years ago when I took an online course similar to this one. Voice Threads can easily be incorporated into any K-12 classroom, and it is free for educators. There is no software to install.

Simply stated:
"A Voice Thread allows every student in class to easily record audio commentary about the ideas and experiences that are important to them. Whether it's an event, a project, or a milestone, students can tell their story in their own voice, and then share it with the world." It's an interactive multi-media album - also referred to as "a group audio blog".

A Voice Thread is a collaborative multi-media slide show that holds images, documents and videos and allows people to navigate pages and leave comments in five ways. Voice Threads can be shared with students, colleagues and friends for them to record comments too.

There are many ways to use Voice Threads in the classroom. It can be used for an individual PowerPoint presentation. It can also be used for a group project. Anyone with an account can comment on the photo or video that is displayed in a safe and secure environment that is controlled by the teacher. This can be beneficial for one class to share with another class what they are studying (anywhere in the world), 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 or vocal in class. If a student is uncomfortable speaking their thoughts or responses, that student may type instead.

This website is an excellent introduction to Voice Threads with step-by-step directions on how to get started, and examples of how they are used in different classrooms.

This wiki, Using Voice Thread for Digital Conversations, created by Bill Ferriter - a sixth-grade language arts and social studies teacher at Salem Middle School, in Salem, North Carolina - provides information and links on everything one needs to know about Voice Threads. In this Edutopia Magazine article, Bill Ferriter explains how Voice Threads have become a natural part of his classroom instruction.

This video created by Megan Power at Del Sur Elementary School will provide a good idea of how to use Voice Thread.



2nd Career Teachers aka Barb