VoiceThread in the Art Room
Welcome to VoiceThread in the Art Room. The purpose of this site is to assist art teachers in using VoiceThread (VT) in their classrooms by providing tutorials, tips, project ideas, examples, and other relevant resources.
What is VoiceThread?
"A VoiceThread is an online media album that can hold essentially any type of media (images, documents and videos) and allows people to make comments in 5 different ways—using voice (with a microphone or telephone), text, audio file, or video (with a webcam)—and share them with anyone they wish. A VoiceThread allows group conversations to be collected and shared in one place, from anywhere in the world" (VoiceThread FAQs). Watch this short video that uses VT for a more detailed answer to the question "What is a VoiceThread?"
Education Options
In an effort to support the education community, the developers of VoiceThread offer free "educator" accounts to teachers. These accounts include many of the features in the "Pro" accounts (except for additional export credits or phone commenting minutes) and are recommended for teachers interested in learning how to use VT and trying it out in their classrooms for the first time.
Teachers interested in making more extensive or long-term use of VT, as well as those who are concerned about security issues with young students should consider registering for a "Ed.Voicethread" account (for a one time $10.00 fee), which allows them to (1) purchase class or school subscriptions; (2) participate in a secure, K-12 only collaborative network; and (c) 3 export three VoiceThreads at no additional cost.
To sign up for the free "educator account," click on the graphic below and then click on the "Apply!" button in the right-hand column. Fill in the information asked for in the pop-up registration box and submit it. You should get a response within a day or two. To register for the Ed.VoiceThread account, click on "Go Ed!" in the left-hand column.
What can you do with VoiceThread?
There are a variety of possible uses of VoiceThread in the art room. For instance, art teachers can use VT to document their demonstrations or introductions to lessons for later playback in the classroom or by students who missed a class. They can also post artwork, photographs or video clips with questions to prompt students to analyze and interpret the works shown. Students can use VT to tell digital stories and to showcase their artwork by creating online portfolios that include reflective comments about each piece. These portfolios can then be shared with classmates who can also add their comments on the work shown.
Viewing examples by other teachers and students may spark ideas on how you might use VT in your classroom. In addition to the examples included on this site, you can browse the VoiceThread site for others.
How to Make a VoiceThread
Making a VT involves three steps: (1) Post an image, video clip, or document; (2) Add a comment by voice, a webcam, typing, or freehand drawing; and (3) Share your VT with others and invite their comments. To get started, watch this short video that uses VT to explain "How to Make a VoiceThread."
VoiceThread Group
If you're interested in talking with other art teachers who use VoiceThread in their classroom, join the VoiceThread Group on Art Education 2.0 (arted20.ning.com).
Submit comments, questions, VT resources, and examples to 
.
The development of this site was supported by a grant from the 2008 Scholarship Enhancement Fund from the University of Florida's College of Fine Arts.
