Presentation for the Nebraska Distance Learning Association Conference

1. Steven McGahan – February 25, 2016
Nebraska Distance Learning Association Conference

2. How many here have heard of VoiceThread?
How many here have used or are using
VoiceThread?

3. I am not affiliated with VoiceThread in any
way. While this presentation does focus on
the use of this tool exclusively, this is not a
sales demonstration. My only association
with VoiceThread is as a customer and a user.

4.  VoiceThread is a multimedia
discussion tool designed for
education
 Upload, Comment, Share
 Video and audio discussion tool
 Ease of use
 Collaboration and sharing
 Mobile learning
 What VoiceThread is not

5.  One of the fundamental issues with
the digital classroom is the loss of
personality
 Text can only carry a message so far
 53% of communication is nonverbal
 40% is tone of voice
 7% is from pure words

6.  Introductions and lectures
 Your personality is important to the
class, make the most of it by “showing
up”
 Short is a key concept to remember
 Student introductions
 Why should you be the only
personality in the course
 Have your students show their
personality as well

7.  Virtual Q&A
 Bring in a guest speaker to address a
topic and answer questions from the
students
 Project and paper feedback
 Give your feedback more depth by
talking and walking them through it
 Student critiques and peer feedback
 Allow peers or student groups to
evaluate each other’s work
 General Feedback
 Save time by addressing issues on the
whole

8.  Discussion
 The system was built as a discussion
platform, so it can easily be used to
direct discussion with students
 Student presentations
 One of the best uses for VoiceThread,
give your students the tools to make
an impression
 Abstract idea presentations and
discussion
 Have your students use audio or
imagery to present abstract ideas

9.  Storyboarding
 Make a movie, or at least the
storyboard for a movie
 Debate the issues
 Set the stage for a traditional or non-
traditional exchange of ideas and
opinions and get them arguing
 Simulations
 This can be a powerful teaching tool
for students
 Create situations that the students
need to respond to

10.  Free account
 Limited to 5 VoiceThreads
 Can comment by text and microphone
 Individual
 K-12 - $79
 Higher Education - $99
 Give full accounts to you and 50
students
 Extra accounts may be added for $2
per account
 Site License
 K-12
 Higher Education

11. Steven McGahan, M.S.Ed.
UNK eCampus
308.865.8341
mcgahansj@unk.edu