VoiceThread is a terrific tool for digital storytelling that is available both on the web and on the iPad. Students can upload photos or documents and record audio or video commentary. In addition, they can invite others to record and add their own commentary. Using simple tools, students can quickly create multimedia presentations. Ideas for ways students could use VoiceThread include:
- Create virtual tours
- Report on
books they've read
- Comment on historically significant photographs
- Debate a
topic
Two things make VoiceThread unique as a digital storytelling tool. First, VoiceThread makes it easy to add audio commentary to images and documents. Second, VoiceThread allows users to add multiple commentaries to a
single artifact.
To learn how to use VoiceThread, you can watch this tutorial video.
To see examples of how VoiceThread can be used in a classroom setting, take a look at VoiceThread's library of articles about successful VoiceThread projects. In particular, here is an example of an immigration project on Ellis Island from a 5th grade class.
Welcome back to school! Hope you had a great summer and are feeling energized for the new school year. One of my favorite parts about teaching is the unique opportunity we get as educators to start fresh every year. It's a chance to try new things in your classroom; to repeat things that worked well or change things that didn't; to recreate yourself as a teacher and, as our mission says, to strive to "become your best self". How many other professions get the same type of opportunity? We are lucky, indeed!
Here at CAIS we have had a lot of change in our technology program in a short time. We sincerely appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation. Xiaoqing and I are looking forward to helping you find new and exciting ways to integrate technology into your curriculum this year!
For my first post of the new school year, I wanted to recommend one of my favorite resources for learning about educational technology. Edutopia is a fantastic website run by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging innovation in schools. The website has a wealth of resources for teachers on topics such as project-based learning, technology integration, social and emotional learning, integrated studies, teacher development and comprehensive assessment.
In addition, Edutopia sends out a weekly newsletter that contains links to practical, interesting articles and videos. The newsletters also provide great ideas about how to use technology in the classroom. Sign up for Edutopia's weekly newsletter here. Spending a few minutes each week reading Edutopia's newsletter would be a great way to get new ideas for ways you can integrate technology into your curriculum.
From everyone here in the IT office, we wish you a terrific start to the school year!
