VoiceThread Reflection

Our group has completed its VoiceThread professional development plan! After the hours invested learning VoiceThread and creating the plan, I have to say that I am being swayed towards technology. When I enrolled in the EDS program for technology, I was optimistic that I would learn some interesting strategies and techniques for the classroom. I am! However, it is much tougher than I ever anticipated. All of the acronyms kill me! Every time I try to update or change something, it seems like I get an error message. Luckily, I have a good group and a couple friends who are not as technologically challenged as I am.

In reflection, could I see myself incorporating VoiceThread into my curriculum and would it be worth developing a professional development plan for my school? Yes. VoiceThread has so many possible applications, it is unbelievable. My first VoiceThread focuses on scanned essays that the students can read (outside and inside of the classroom). This gives them opportunities to read, reflect and comment on other students' writing, which is essential. Students learn to proof and edit by doing, so this is an opportunity to do so in a non-pressured environment.

This would also be a great application to use for summer projects. All of my students have summer reading, so I like to post information such as study guides for them during the summer. Next year, I can actually make a voice thread where I can provide them information and incorporate interviews with the authors etc., and the students can respond, all before school even begins!

There are many other uses for VoiceThread that I hope to incorporate in the future. In addition, VoiceThread is VERY user friendly. I made a few mistakes and had to make a few phone calls, but everything considered, it was easy to learn. I definitely recommend it for teachers to use!!!