Voicethread

A piece of string that talks?  Well, no, but it's an interesting visual.......a VoiceThread is actually a collaborative, multimedia slide show that can hold images, documents, or videos and allows participants to navigate pages and leave comments in 5 different ways - voice (with a microphone OR telephone), text, audio file, or video (via a webcam).  It's digital storytelling on steroids!

Where to start?

• http://ed.voicethread.com - The main site where you and your class will go in order to view and comment on slides.
• Follow Voicethread on Twitter: @voicethread

What IS Voicethread?

The easiest definition of a Voicethread is a "group audio blog."  Participants are able to record, text and give audio comments about uploaded pictures or videos for free on any computer that has Internet access.  Two advantages over traditional presentation software are:

1. Voicethread is Asynchronous - Students can work on and enjoy presentations at any time, anywhere.
2. Voicethread is Engaging - VT gives users something interesting to talk about instead having to read / view linear presentations.  Being able to actually hear or see another person makes communication much more personal.

How do I use it?

• Complete Visual Guide
• Getting Started in the Classroom
• Sharing a Voicethread

The best way to understand is by Seeing and Hearing.  This is an excellent tutorial that's a, you guessed it, Voicethread!

Full-screen: http://voicethread.com/share/409/

Also really good is the "1 minute Voicethread"

Full screen: http://ed.voicethread.com/share/8381/ 

In the Classroom?

Before making and sharing a Voicethread with your students, you will need to set up their Identities (unless you wish to pay for a Pro Educator classroom account).  The easiest way to do this is through your account settings while viewing a thread.  Simply click on your icon when viewing a thread to create new identities (see below):

Full-screen: http://ed.voicethread.com/share/240771/

Examples?

• TONS of of ways to use VT in the classroom for all curriculums along with examples: http://voicethread.com/library/ 

Before making this tutorial, I posted a Voicethread to my Twitter PLN to gather input on how other teachers are using it in their classrooms /schools and got some great responses!  Be sure to watch and listen!

Full-screen: http://voicethread.com/share/952719/ 

Tips: