There is no doubt that texting, Facebook, My Space, instant messaging, YouTube, blogging, etc that our students are writing more than they ever have, but not so much in an academic way that is very important to the learning processing. Intrusion of out of school writing interfers in our classrooms when we start seeing LOL, OMG, and the many other writing short cuts appear in formal writing in our classrooms. No doubt, creating text as a form of literacy is still as important as it was 30 years ago and it probably more important. We struggle with how to bridge what happening on social media and networking inside the classroom.
It is important we find ways to teaching writing in a way that makes use of the new tools that effectively scaffold writing, and yet not adopt every kind of technology because it exists. We need to look reflectively as our present reading and writing process model and figure out how to incorperate useful technologies into that model. As we have discussed when we were face to face, we only need to know and understand the tools benefits, limitations, advantages, and disadvantages as we prescribe that tool with the learner. We need to come familiar with the tools but we don't have to be the expert. Perhaps we need to know how the tool might fit the learners learning style.
I have an Iphone and the applications I have on my Iphone are unique tools that fit me. The voice recorder, the Ipadio app, to do list, calendar, and camera are unique for me. And I know there are literally hundreds more out their that are similar.
One question was asked earlier this week! There are so many tools I cannot decide which one to introduce or use in my classroom this year. I don't know how to make the technologies fit in my classroom. Here is what I believe- I think a good starting point is Voice Thread. If I were a science teacher that does lots of hands on experiments, I would get students to take take pictures of the learning process during the experiment. Then dump the pictures into a VoiceThread and put them in a logistical order. Then have student use the VoiceThread to make comments about each step, narrate the experiment, tell what they know, summarize, and share with a larger audiences.
Please take a moment to share in the comment section about how you would use VoiceThread or how you plan to use VoiceThread in your content area?
Bill
I am thinking about using Voice Thread for book clubs to discuss their book.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking about using Voice Thread for book clubs to discuss their books.
ReplyDeleteAs an English teacher, I also see the benefit to VoiceThread as a medium for book discussion. I can see it working with either a book selection that each students comments on, or with a chosen literary element, such as theme, where each student could comment on the way the element is represented in the self select book they are reading. In that way they could see how those "big" ideas run through all literature.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that I would use Voice Thread with textbook selections, book and poetry discussions, and I could see using it to create book trailers where the students could illustrate favorite parts of the book and use these illustrations as a guide to narrate those parts of the books and incorporate the different literary devices.
ReplyDeleteAs a Special Education teacher teaching math,science, social studies, and social skills I can think of several ways to use voice thread in my classroom. I think I will start using voice thread in my social skills class. I plan on putting pictures of a variety of scoial situation (cafeteria, classroom, outdoor area, hallway, etc.) and have my students have a conversation around appropriate social skills in each area. I also want to use Voice Thread in science when we study Ecology and look at species introduced to the U.S. This will be a great way for students to discuss what (if anything) should be done about the population of these species.
ReplyDeleteAs a second grade teacher who teaches all subjects, I have thought of numerous ways to use voice thread. For writing, I have thought about posting students work and letting students comment by asking questions to clarify, help proofreading, and share praise. In Reading, they could make connections or tell a favorite part. In SS, they could do past/ present pictures and tell how technology has changed. I guess basically anything they could comment on in a group setting could be put on voice thread and give everybody a chance to share instead of just a few students. Nan
ReplyDeleteAs A 7th grade World History Teacher I can see where using Voice threads would work with many items, such as Maps, primary source documents and even photos. Student can analyze the piece and make comments on what each other see and share their ideas and opinions. Teresa
ReplyDeleteAs the school's curriculum coach, I am thinking about how I can use voice thread with the teachers at my school. I really do think it has to be kept simple when starting out to make it approachable to all staff members.
ReplyDeleteMillie