Exercise Six : Contribute to or create a VoiceThread.
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 the following short video that uses VT for a more detailed answer to the question "What is a VoiceThread?"
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. View these examples made by other teachers and students to spark ideas on how you might use VT in your classroom
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 the following short video that explains "How to Make a VoiceThread."
Registering on VoiceThread
First-time users need to first register on VoiceThread. Once you do so and sign in, click on the down arrow in the upper-right side of the screen. This allows you to check the status of your account and to change the default image used for your identity to the avatar image you created in Exercise Two. Notice that you are limited to creating three VoiceThreads with a "free" account. If you're an educator, you can apply for a free "educator account" that will allow you to create an unlimited number of VoiceThreads. To do so, go to this page and 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. If you decide you want to use VoiceThread with your students, you might opt to join the secure "Ed.VoiceThread" network, for a one-time $10 fee. In which case, click on the "Go Ed!" button in the left-hand column and proceed from there.
To complete Exercise Six, do one of the following:
1. Go to the Interpreting Pictures VoiceThread and respond to 2-3 questions posed.
2. Create your own VoiceThread on a topic of your choice.
