Virtual Voices:Virtual Voices:

Collaboration in an online environment using VoiceThread

Presentation for Undergraduate Module Decoding the Digital Society

University of Hull

By Margaret Korosec, PhD Student and eLearning Strategist

17 February 2014

OverviewOverview

Salac, M. (2013). Framed [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/

OverviewOverview

• Why should we collaborate online?

• How do we collaborate online?

• Useful technology?

• Case study • Year 6 class in Hull, UK • Example: from introduction to

collaboration in 30 seconds

• Further resources

Why Collaborate?Why Collaborate?

• Cognitive processing occurs when interacting with other students (Piaget, 1932).

• Scaffolding or guided participation enables students to learn from one another (Vygotsky, 1978).

• Increased effort when working with other students (Slavin, 1983).

• By constructing knowledge together student collaboration leads to new learning opportunities (Barron, 2000).

• According to Kearney, M. Schuck, S., Burden, K., & Aubusson, P. (2012) collaboration is one part of a pedagogical framework for mobile learning, along with personalisation and authenticity.

Why Collaborate?Why Collaborate?

University of British Colombia (2010) Supporting critical thinking online (Wiki) [Online] Available at: https://wiki.ubc.ca/Documentation:Supporting_Critical_Thinking_Online/Critical_Thinking_and_Cognitive_Presence (Accessed: 14 Feb 2014)

How to CollaborateHow to Collaborate

One way of online collaboration is using VoiceThread.

What’s a VoiceThread anyway? http://voicethread.com/about/features/http://voicethread.com/about/features/

http://voicethread.com/about/library/http://voicethread.com/about/library/

How to CollaborateHow to Collaborate

A VoiceThread is a collaborative, interactive, multimedia slide show that holds images, documents, and videos. It allows participants to navigate through media chosen by the creator (teacher or student), such as a presentation or just one image, and leave comments in several ways: recording voice (with a microphone), typing text, or recording video (via a webcam).

Useful Useful Technology? Technology?

Technology can get in the way… but it does not have

to!Just be prepared.

Technology can get in the way… but it does not have

to!Just be prepared.

Stewart, N. (2013) Held back by technology? [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/

technologytechnology

The following ought to be considered with any online technology:

…students have access;

…teachers know how to use the online tool;

…contributions are saved (often “automagically”….);

…understand limitations of free access (no analytics and limited creations);

…look into enterprise licenses if deemed useful for your school (useful analytics and unlimited creations);

…consider integration into your school system.

Take a closer lookTake a closer look

Claremont Colleges Digital Library (1965). Students In Class – Pitzer College. [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/

Case studyCase study

2013/2014 Academic Year:

•As Technology-Enhanced Learning Coordinator, the presenter introduced VoiceThread to teachers at a secondary school in Hull, UK.

•As ICT Teacher, the presenter introduced VoiceThread to a Year 6 class.

-- We will take a closer look at the Year 6 class --

Case studyCase study

• VoiceThread was introduced to a Year 6 class after completing two lessons on the importance of using keywords in internet research. This was also the first instance of using VoiceThread in the school and the Year 6 students were eager to be involved with this experiment.

• The point of this instance of VoiceThread was to reflect on the important messages from the previous lessons and to share these ideas with classmates.

Case studyCase study

• There were some technical issues with integration into the school virtual learning environment (VLE) and student information system (SIS).

• However, once in the VoiceThread, the students quickly and independently learned how to upload an avatar or image, figured out how to doodle, understood how to type comments and voice record.

• The following slides show how the students answered the question but also learned the functionality and potential.

• In a class of 27 students, one lesson ended up with 77 comments. Students returned to comment on their own time outside of class or during homework club.

ExampleExample

ExampleExample

ExampleExample

ExampleExample

ExampleExample

ExampleExample

ExampleExample

Now your turn!Now your turn!

Click below to participate in a VoiceThreadClick below to participate in a VoiceThread

https://voicethread.com/share/4511498/https://voicethread.com/share/4511498/

Which Which direction?direction?

VoiceThread is only one VoiceThread is only one example of an online, example of an online, multimedia tool for multimedia tool for

collaboration. There are many collaboration. There are many more! more!

Explore what works for you as a Explore what works for you as a student and then expand into student and then expand into what works for your teaching. what works for your teaching.

VoiceThread is only one VoiceThread is only one example of an online, example of an online, multimedia tool for multimedia tool for

collaboration. There are many collaboration. There are many more! more!

Explore what works for you as a Explore what works for you as a student and then expand into student and then expand into what works for your teaching. what works for your teaching.

Lee, S. (2009). Every which way in downtown Brooklyn [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/

ResourcesResources

Explore VoiceThread http://voicethread.com/

Create an account.

Explore the samples.

Look up Michelle Pacansky-Brock for practical tips

• On VoiceThread• On YouTube

What will you offer your What will you offer your students? students?

MacPhail, W. (2009). Students in the Class. [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/

Thank youThank you

Margaret Korosec

eLearning Strategist

and

PhD Student @

University of Hull

~

Follow on Twitter @mdkorosec