As soon as I read the question/topic for this blog I knew exactly the type of technology that I would like to incorporate within my classroom. From the very first semester, I was fascinated with the Voice Thread technology. I was amazed how the technology not only allowed me to create very interesting, I thought, Voice Threads, but that fact that I was reinforcing the learning process as I went through the steps to create my own Voice Thread was amazing. I also enjoyed listening to other classmates Voice Threads. The information and graphics they placed in their presentations had a lasting effect on me. I was not only using my visual learning but my auditory learning at the same time. This technology allowed me to leave comments and thoughts about the Threads that I was learning from. I think this technology is an easy way to actively engage learners and instructors in a rich environment that can work in the traditional classroom setting and be extremely successful in online classes as well.
There was so much information to support the effects and implementation of the Voice Thread technology. One study entitled: Evaluating pedagogical affordances of media sharing Web 2.0 technologies: a case Study, by Kevin Burden and Simon Atkinson, indicated that ,” responses from participants and tutors that Voice Thread is a useful instrument through which to evaluate the potential pedagogical value of a particular application set within a wider sociocultural context.” This study showed many examples of how to use the Voice Thread technology to “increase student participation, creative thinking and greater learning opportunities.” As a soon to be instructor, I believe that is the goal. Give your students information and they in turn can interpret the information, utilize the information and be able to explain things to others. Being able to use critical thinking and in fact teaching their classmates will enrich not only their learning process, but the learning experience for their classmates.
Another source was by the name of Michelle Pacansky-Brock. Michelle has quite the collection of Voice Thread webinars. One in particular was entitled, Learning out Loud: is it the Missing Link in Online Learning? discussed that using Voice Thread can help to “Increase online community and enhance the instructor-to-student relationship.” She states that, “voice thread increases verbal skills, increases student relation, increases comprehension of the material and their is an increase in confidence while using Voice Thread.” All of these attributes are amazing results of using technology to engage students and encourage them to interact with classmates and instructors.
One last study that I want to share regarding the support the use of Voice Thread is entitled: Web 2.0 Pedagogical Support for Reflective and Emotional Social Interaction among Swedish students, by Augustsson, G. (2010). Three main results showed that “the use of Web 2.0”: 1. “support students’ reflections concerning their own and others’ thoughts and emotions, 2. supports individual students and integrates them into a work group and 3. develops students’ identification and awareness in relation to self, a task and others.” Becoming aware of oneself and our own abilities will allow us to grow, not only academically, but according to this study, personally as well.
I, better than anyone, am aware that new technology and change is sometimes difficult to tackle. I did find this technology to be fairly easy to manuever through. Granted there was a slight learning curve, but the exercise that we first did on Voice Thread was the perfect way to ease into the technology and a great way to introduce ourselves to the instructor and our classmates. This initial exposure to Voice Thread allowed us to work through any kinks on a topic that we were all familiar with, ourselves. Voice thread can allow for a wide variety of topics to be discussed and to explore for a wide range of ages. The asynchronous method of Voice Thread means that this is an extremely flexible mechanism to utilize so the students are able to complete the project when time allows in their schedule. I really enjoy the Voice Thread technology and I am excited to get the opportunity to utilize all that is has to offer.
Michelle Pacansky-Brock, http://blog.voicethread.com/webinars-all/
Augustsson, G(2010), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2010.05.005
Kevin Burden and Simon Atkinson, www.academia.edu/165088/Evaluating_pedagogical_affordances_of_media_sharing_Web_2.0_technologies:_a_case_Study
I also liked voicethread. It was something totally different and I liked listening to the rest of the classmates voicethreads. I agree with you that it has a slight learning curve but overall fairly easy to use. Both of your studies are great because they showed positive results of using voicethread.It is a great interactive assessment and I think you would do a great job utilizing it in your classroom!
You found great supporting evidence to back-up your rich experience with Voicethread. I have to say I’m very impressed with the way you “tackled” new technologies all school year. I am trying to think of ways to incorporate VT into a pre-clinical course, any ideas?
Heather, I think all of us are very proud of you and how far you have come with your use of technology in the classroom! Just think, a few short weeks ago you were nervous about logging into our SD, and now your a pro and competing in iron mans ; ) The voice thread was a great technology to discuss further, I think its a fun way to break up the classroom. Its a fun way in an undergrad class to allow the students to review information or discuss treatment options available for their patients. Great use of cited information as well!
I also am a big fan of voice thread (as you can probably tell). I think it has a multitude of applications for any discipline. I now you were nervous about VT when we started, but you mastered it quickly and utilized it to it’s greatest potential!