My VoiceThread Learning Journey Continues

I am continuing my VoiceThread learning journey using Michelle Pacansky-Brock's book and am loving the discussions taking place about the book using VoiceThread.








I created a survey using VoiceThread and the Doodle tool, see below.  I gave people the option to use VoiceThread or a standard survey. Most people chose the standard survey.




Some take aways from Chapter 2:

• For VoiceThread activities, it's important to provide instructions that are: clear, specific, and accessible, I think it works best to have the instructions in writing on the screen in addition to providing them verbally.
• I would like to use Tackk to create a web page when designing a larger project. A VoiceThread could be embedded where participants could ask questions about the project.  Include sample projects and chunk the project into steps with dates and specific deliverables.  This approach could be used for TOL4B.
• I also like Michelle's suggestion of scaffolding the use of VoiceThread in a course by first having student leave comments, then move to editing and commenting and finally creating their own VoiceThreads.

In Chapter 3 Michelle provided examples of 8 different slide types. I like the idea of creating a consistent look and feel to the design of VoiceThreads that are used in a class. I also liked how Michelle added little reminders like "Comment Here" and "Just Listen.". I also like the way Michelle uses the check-in slide.

In Chapter 4 I gained a better understanding about why Michelle had so many different feedback identities. You need to use different identities if leaving multiple feedback in the same VoiceThread so you can reorder the feedback next to the comment being made.  Michelle also shared that she turns off the comments after the week assignment concludes.  Students still have access to view the ViceThreads and have reported value in doing so,

What I am learning about VoiceThread

I am participating in a TLT Group book discussion around Michelle Pacansky-Brock's book, "How to Humanize Your Online Class with VoiceThread. The discussion is taking place using VoiceThread.

Here are some of my take-aways from Chapter 1:

1. Create different identities such as one for when I am when I am inserting a text transcript of my voice comment and one for when I am providing feedback.
      
2. Survey students at the beginning of class regarding the the method they plan to use for creating a voice comment: mic, webcam, mobile app, phone.
3. A low risk ice breaker at the beginning of class which requires the use of voice.
4. It looks like there is a way to use the Doodle tool so that it does not fade away.  I want to experiment with that.
5. I'd also like to experiment with uploading a video into VoiceThread and using the Doodle Tool to comment.
6. I'd like to experiment more with leaving VoiceThread comments using a mobile device. 

Here are some things I want to further explore or questions that were raised for me from Chapter 1:

1. I would like to better understand Voice Manager.
2. I would like to create/adapt some collaborate learning activities using VoiceThread with some of my content.
3. I would like to further explore the various ways we, as teachers, can and should construct our presence online.  
4. Instead of using a survey regarding the up-coming TLT Cognitive Science Book Discussion Series, I would like to create a VoiceThread as a way for members to react to the books and talk about how they may want to contribute to the discussions.

Designated Learner - Lessons from Our Last Experiment

Created by Felcia Sullivan
https://voicethread.com/#q.b4104932.i21006791

On February 6th, Penny Kuckkahn taught Robert Voelker-Morris how to use VoiceThread (VT). Robert served as the designated learner. The event took place using web-conferencing, Adobe Connect. Below are my notes from the chat on lessons learned.

Two more roles emerged:

• Designated Follower (DF). Participants are given the choice to watch or to follow along. The Designated Follower helps a beginning learner stay with the training by asking questions from the follower perspective.
• Designated Kibitzer (DK) adds random informative comment during the training.

Again we discovered nuances that emerged during the training that were unanticipated. For example, Robert's (the DL) specific use for VoiceThread involved embedding the VT into a learning management system. This added another layer of complexity.

We need a pre-module on how to use mics in Adobe for those who might want to use mics during the training. Suggested that some sort of training may be needed for students, maybe record a demonstration.

Sequence used in this session:

1. Intro.context
2. TASK for instructor/DL
3. Others follow along AND add questions, comments, info
4. Encourage (if relevant) all participants to have access to what was built and test it briefly.
5. More reactions
6. 2nd demo/task?
7. Further comments?
8. Next steps

The group decided to continue the learning about VoiceThread on February 20th, 3:00 PM ET. This link will take you to the registration page. Please share a link to the VoiceThread that you create in preparation for the session on 2/20 by commenting to this blog post.

I've made additions and revisions to the Designated Learner slides. Your feedback is always appreciated.