Technology Integration LS 504

Brittney Young and Anna Beth SawyerApril 2, 2014

Topic of Session Educating 3rd grade teachers on how

to integrate voicethread technology in their classroom.

Ways to use it: critique, reflect, share, edit, and discuss different topics.

What is VoiceThread?

Cloud Application: No software to install. Works with any recent web browser and internet connection.

Upload documents, presentations, photos, audio or video and discuss.

Comment (text and microphone), webcam, and audio-video capabilities.

Possibilities are endless!

How It Works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE

bEwY5Gmks (video tutorial)

Step 1: Register your account

Step 2: Upload your content(Powerpoint, graphics, etc.)

Step 3: Comment on your presentation

Step 4: Share and Discuss!

Commenting Capabilities

VoiceThread in Action: Reading Lesson

Example #1: 3nd Grade Reading Lesson on Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Divide students into groups of 3-4 or pairs (depending on size of class) for group discussions.

Idea is to discuss and get feedback from students on the story’s plot, setting, and characters.

Potential discussion questions

Who are the main characters? Describe them (what they look like, their personality, etc.).

Where is the story set? Describe it. How does the author help you get to know

the characters? What do you believe is the plot of this

story? Who is your least favorite character? Your

favorite character? Why?

More instructional use

Each group of students can talk together after the lesson to reflect on the story together.

They can comment via text, video, or audio collaboration.

Instructors can be a part of all of the group’s videothreads and share them with the rest of the class.

Content Area Standards Addressed:

1.1.1 Follow an inquiry-based process in seeking knowledge in curricular subjects and make the real world connection for using this process in own life.

1.1.3 Develop and refine a range of questions to frame search for new understanding

1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g., textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning.

*1.1.8 Demonstrate mastery of technology tools to access information and pursue inquiry.

*1.1.9 Collaborate with others to broaden and deepen understanding.

1.2.3 Demonstrate creativity by using multiple resources and formats.

Works Cited

Great Schools. (2014). “Favorite Books for Third-Graders.” Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/cgi-bin/showarticle/625#Positive.

International Reading Association. (2014) “Characters in Because of Winn-Dixie: Making Lists of Ten.” Retrieved from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/characters-because-winn-dixie-866.html?tab=4#tabs.

VoiceThread. (2007-2014). Retrieved from https://voicethread.com/#q.

VoiceThread. (2007-2014). “Communicate, Collaborate and Connect: VoiceThread.” Retrieved from https://voicethread.com/about/features/.