Erin's+review+of+Voice+Thread

The second cool tool session that I attended on Tuesday, July 14th was Voice Thread ( [|voicethread.com] ) presented by Bethany Smith. Voice Thread is all online and is not able to download. It is a tool for digital storytelling. Voice Thread requires an email address to begin access. Teachers can create email to maintain control of access. Voice Thread allows students to upload pictures and then add a voice narrative to create the digital storytelling. This cool tool portrays the TPACK model of instruction by including a scaffolded method that includes content knowledge with technology and literacy skills. Voice threads can be used by anyone at any age.
 * Voice Thread: **

I was excited by the possibilities of using Voice Thread in a classroom for digital storytelling. One great example came from Mary Burch and Kristen Caldwell’s [|instructional plan], where they used voice thread to digitally tell the story of //Goldilocks and the Three Bears//. Other ideas for digital storytelling using Voice Thread include using it for retelling Ray Bradbury’s //Fahrenheit 451// in an eleventh grade American Literature class, or using it in twelfth grade British Literature class to retell George Orwell’s //Animal Farm//.

I plan to teach my technical communications class at Davidson County Community College how to use digital storytelling with Voice Thread through a case study about ethics vs. morals in the workplace. Voice Thread allows for creativity while incorporating literacy and technology skills with content knowledge.