Task 3- Voicethread and Fotobabble

Though I have used Voicethread a couple of times this past school year, I am by no means an expert!  I fumbled around a bit with the set up...not sure how to get all of my students logged on or, more importantly, how I could organize getting all of them to record their voices in a timely manner.  

This initial project was done to highlight the importance of reading fluency, so the students selected a poem to read aloud and record.  They enjoyed it quite a bit, but it was challenging to accommodate each student.  It took time to scan each picture...and even more time to record their voices.  Only two or three children could be in the room  at a time when recording or the background noise would be very distracting.  Luckily, I have Mrs. Driscoll, who helped me out a lot!

After looking at many of the examples, I find it intriguing that teachers could pose a question to their students and hear their responses here.   The Voicethread on Chernobyl was so thought provoking.  I can imagine upper division students leading a  heated discussion about whether or not to live there.  Students would have to become intimately  knowledgeable about the way of life for people there.  It's not as easy as it may be for us to pick up and move.

Voicethread provides an avenue for each student to be heard...and I'm sure a way for them to respond from home.  Do upper and middle division teachers have their students respond to Voicethread on their own time?  It seems possible since the students have laptops and can learn to manipulate the program so quickly and independently, whereas we are needed to walk our smaller students through the process step by step.  

It's also a great way for students to comment on each other's thoughts and ideas in a place where a teacher can monitor and structure them.  I listened to several ideas at the New  York Public Library site and am intrigued by the idea of posting pictures of early Native Americans and having the students compare and contrast their clothing, weapons, structures, etc. as an introduction to our studies of early Florida people.  There's no telling what kind of preconceived notions third graders have about Native Americans.

I am a bit worried about Fotobabble, only because of the fact that they don't have  an educator account (yet), which often tends to make things a bit more safe, however, with teacher guidance, there really isn't anything that can go wrong.  It would be a quick and easy way for students to post a thought, idea, or reflection on anything we're studying.   I also think what can make a difference in the Web 2.0 programs, is the variety options out there!  Using Voicethread over and over and over would get boring...now I can try something new. :)

COLLABORATION

I am currently planning to work with a teacher from San Francisco this fall, hoping to find ways that our classes can learn about the areas in which we live.  I found a fantastic blog from two teachers who were sharing all kinds of information about their students and their school as a collaboration project.  One teacher is from Los Angeles and the other is from Australia. I snipped this clip from their blog:

These two teachers used Fotobabble, Vimeo, Voicethread, and a site I'd not heard of called Photo Peach.  (I'd also like to explore Blabberize.)  I became really excited after seeing what her students put together.  I visited the American teacher's blog, LOVED the slideshow she put together...click the picture ----->
and can see how I could have each student in my class contribute to a similar one on Florida.

I'm looking forward to infusing some or all of these tools into my classroom in the fall.  I may not be able to come up with the ideas on my own...but I'm a pretty good thief!  I'll keep looking!