March+27+homework

~ 7 Things you should know about..VoiceThread

One key concept I learned was that VoiceThread is a media aggregator which allows people to upload artifacts which people then can provide feedback on. It is also useful because it is easy for users to add a voice to an artifact. It is also interesting because people who are commenting can add remarks by using a webcam, microphone, telephone, or keyboard.

Another key concept that I learned was VoiceThread is being used in grades kindergarten all the way up to 12 grade. Students say that VoiceThread helped establish a sense of community and helped to reinforce that the teacher was involved in the learning process.

A key concept about VoiceThread is that once an author creates a VoiceThread they could share it by sending out a link and they could even insert it to an existing website. I also learned that a cool feature of VoiceThread is that it allows anyone commenting on it or even the author to attract attention to specific areas by drawing circles, lines and arrows.

Another key concept I learned was that VoiceTheards do have their downsides. VoiceThreads do not allow multiple users to one site. This means that a whole class might have to use the same login. This could cause a problem of students removing or changing other students' comments.

A key concept I learned was that VoiceThreads give a more natural online interaction, which allows students to not only present their work but it allows them to defend their work before their peers. I also learned that through this peers may be more encouraged to give more meaningful peer assessments.

One thing that I would want to do in my VoiceThread project is to use the feature that allows you to draw lines and circles to get someone's attention. Another thing I would want to do in VoiceThread is use a lot of motions in my project to get my point across.

~VoiceThread Accessibility

A key concept was that VoiceThread made their software so that it could be used by all people. They said that they kept the rules of Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act in mind, but that they really wanted a program that was straightforward and nice for everyone to use.

Another key concept I learned was that they really wanted to be able to meet the needs of a person who had dyslexia or ADHD, a child who was a kindergartener or an elderly person. Since they want to be able to meet a wide range of needs, they say that they have carefully designed the program with lots of thought and sensitivity. They also said that they used a lot of input from their different users.

A key concept was that VoiceThread did not originally have video commenting in their program. They only added it in when a teacher from Gallaudet University, which is a school for the blind and deaf wrote in that she wanted her students to be able to use sign language to communicate on the program. Then VoiceThread saw the need for the feature and added it to the program.

Another key concept I learned was that the people at VoiceThread are working very hard to make sure that their accessibility is always improving. They talked about how they collect a lot of feedback from people in the community, peers in the software industry and go to experts to get advice.

Another key concept I learned was that VoiceThread was put out there even though the program was not complete. They did this because they wanted people to start using it. They wanted people to start using it because they wanted people's feedback so they could change the program to better fit people's needs. They also tell you that your feedback is very important in order to make VoiceThread a success.

One thing I want to do is leave written comments on my VoiceThread so people have a general idea of what I am talking about. Another thing I would also want to do is leave voice comments that had more in depth information about the topic in them.

~ VoiceThread- 4TH Grade English from Ms. Naugle

A key concept that I learned was that when Ms. Naugle started to use VoiceThread in her classroom, she saw students start to take a real interest in how their project was going to turn out. She said she notice students practicing their speaking voices to make sure that they sounded appropriate; that their voices were clear and loud enough so the people listening to it could hear them.

Another key concept that I found to be very important is that Ms. Naugle said it would take two or four days do the assignment. I found this important because it is good to remember when using technology to give the students more time and be flexible because some of your students will be more tech-savvy than others.

Another key concept that I found important was that Ms. Naugle would not let them use VoiceThread until she saw their poems completely written. She said this helped motivate the students to work hard on their poems so they could use VoiceThread. She said this also helped because it helped her estimate how much more time the class would need.

An important key concept was that one should make a VoiceThread of two or three pages as an example so you understand how to work VoiceThread. Ms. Naugle said she did not do this and she ran into a few problems with the lesson. Another important thing is to show the students how to make two or three pages of VoiceThread on your big projector or SmartBoard so that they really understand how to use it.

Another key concept is that this can be used for any subject not just English and poetry. It talks about how this would be great for science and how you could have students watch a demonstration of a lab before they actually did it.

One thing that I want to do on VoiceThread is import a lot of pictures to make it easier for someone else to understand what I am talking about. I would also want to be able to do a demonstration on my VoiceThread project.