(http://voicethread.com/share/2152543/)
I chose to use Voice Thread for my digital story (self introduction). My initial reasons for choosing Voice Thread were: (1) I could incorporate video, (2) I could speak and write on the screen and it would be captured and (3) students could respond directly and easily to each slide I created. Once I started working with the tool and decided exactly which digital story I wanted to tell I decided not to use video, but I am glad it is an option and could see possibilities for using it in the future (e.g. it would be great for analyzing film clips in an English class).
I made an introduction of myself that I would incorporate into and online, asynchronous English 12 class. I liked that I could record my voice and students could hear me. I think this helps them connect to me more as a person rather than some voiceless instructor who responds only through email. I think it also gives off a sense of my personality and sense of humour, which may be lost in text. I also prompted students to respond to the various slides on my voice thread so I can learn more about them. The advantages to using this tool for this activity are that it is fun, students have options between voice recording or text (whatever they are comfortable with) and they can learn more about their classmates who also respond, not just me. The disadvantage to this tool is students need to make a profile in order to comment and some of them might not feel comfortable with this.
Going further, I can see using this tool in an English class. As mentioned above it would be especially good for analyzing visual media such as film and images in an online class. I think it would also be an effective tool for students to create their own representing projects, such as a photo essay. Also, I like that it allows for peer collaboration and/or feedback through the commenting tools.
Student access to this tool is easy enough because all students need to do is create a user account, which is free. Since I have signed up I have not received any spam, which is a problem with some sites, so I would feel comfortable asking my students to sign up. While younger students would most likely feel comfortable signing up for an online social media tool I teach adults who are sometimes hesitant with technology. Due to this concern I would consider using voice thread as a supplemental/optional resource or provide a list of options including Voice Thread in a mandatory assignment.
My initial response to this tool was…”Cool!” I would hope students would have the same reaction, but I recognize not everyone is as excited about educational technologies as I am. I visualize my adult students who are hesitant with technology to begin with being hesitant about using this tool; however, it is so easy to use I think the initial uncertainty could easily be overcome. I also imagine my younger adult students excited by the possibility to use social media, since they use it daily (if not hourly, while in class J). That being said, I would use the tool only for assignments or activities that it is appropriate for (i.e. I would choose the tool that best helps achieve the outcomes not force the outcomes to fit the tool).