Educator s Guide to Using VoiceThread for World Language Classes

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Jeremy Griffith
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Educator s Guide to Using VoiceThread for World Language Classes Overview: This lesson is on using VoiceThread for world language classes in order to promote fluency and to provide a means for

Students will become more fluent in their chosen language through the use of VoiceThread. I Can Statements:! I can create an identity in VoiceThread.! I can comment in VoiceThread.

1 Educator s Guide to Using VoiceThread for World Language Classes Overview: This lesson is on using VoiceThread for world language classes in order to promote fluency and to provide a means for collaboration on the culture of the country whose language is being learned. Grades and Subject Areas: 7-12 for world language Objectives:! Students will become more fluent in their chosen language through the use of VoiceThread. I Can Statements:! I can create an identity in VoiceThread.! I can comment in VoiceThread.! I can greet others and give basic information about myself in another language. Curriculum Connections: Alaska Content Standards: World Languages: A. A student should be able to communicate in two or more languages, one of which is English 1) Understand written and oral communication in two or more languages; 2) Write and speak understandably in two or more languages; C. A student should possess the language skills and cultural knowledge necessary to participate successfully in multilingual communities and the international marketplace. 1) Interact appropriately in multilingual communities through various means, including printed and electronic media, audio and visual sources, face-to-face conversations, pen pals, and travel;

2 Technology: D. A student should be able to use technology to express ideas and exchange information. 1) Convey ideas to a variety of audiences using publishing, multi-media, and communications tools. 2) Use communications technology to exchange ideas and information; and 3) Use technology to explore new and innovative methods for interaction with others. ISTE Student Standards: 1. Creativity and Innovation Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students: a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes. 2. Communication and Collaboration Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students: a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety of digital environments and media. 5. Digital Citizenship Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students: a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology. b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity. ISTE Teacher Standards: 2. Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers: a. Design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners. d. Plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities. 3. Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum Teachers implement curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning. Teachers: a. Facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards. b. Use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students. c. Apply technology to develop students higher order skills and creativity. Technology Integration: Hardware and Software Needs Computer with high-speed Internet access (internal microphone and camera optional). Created by Tricia Yocum October 15, 2011

3 External unidirectional microphone and headphones (or headset with both) preferred. If the computer doesn t have an internal microphone, then an external microphone is required. Tips and Tricks Have students take their pictures in PhotoBooth and drag them to their desktop (to later upload for their identities) then QUIT PhotoBooth (don t just close it). The camera in VoiceThread won t work if Photobooth is open. Use Firefox instead of Safari. Commenting doesn t always work in Safari. There is a total of 30 minutes for video recording in a free educator s account, so have students practice and time themselves before doing video recording so you don t exceed the limit. Use a countdown when doing voice recording and then Quiet on the set in order to prevent background noise. If commenting on one computer, refresh after each student has saved their comment so that subsequent comments record and save properly. Resources: Handouts or Downloads! How To Create an Educator VoiceThread Account! How To Create Class Gmail and VoiceThread Accounts! How To Setup-Share-Comment on a VoiceThread Project! VoiceThread Assessment Checklist Optional documents:! VoiceThread Parent Letter! Troubleshooting VoiceThread Recording Web resources What s a VoiceThread Anyway? 1 Minute VoiceThread Microphone setup for Windows XP Microphone setup for Mac Created by Tricia Yocum October 15, 2011

4 Lesson Plan Prep Time: Approximately 60 minutes for initial set up of both teacher and class VoiceThread accounts. Additional time will be needed if creating multiple period accounts. Once VoiceThread accounts have been set up, 5-10 minutes to upload documents/pictures, copy and share. Suggestion: Work with your ITT to do the planning and setup of your first project. All documents are listed so you can also do the project independently. Prior to the Lesson: 1. Set up a free educator (teacher) VoiceThread account with a password that you will NOT give out (using your District address). See How To Create an Educator VoiceThread Account. 2. For each period, set up a class Gmail account and a free class VoiceThread account (using the class Gmail account) with a password you WILL give to the class (and parents). See How To Create Class Gmail and VoiceThread Accounts. 3. Create your VoiceThread. See How To Setup-Sharing-Comment on a VoiceThread Project. Upload document(s), picture(s), and/or video(s) for students to use in introducing themselves in another language. Copy the project. Add a contact (the class account). Share and invite the class account to comment on the VoiceThread. Optional: Send a parent letter home explaining the project and getting permission to record student voices on the Internet. See VoiceThread Parent Letter. Time Needed for Lesson: One class period Directions: Teacher will use the I do, you do method to introduce VoiceThread 1. Teacher will review the I Can Statements for the day. 2. Teacher will review digital citizenship by explaining that the class is sharing an account which means that while it is possible to delete someone else s work, part of being a good digital citizen is respecting others work. Teacher will also explain to students that they are leaving a digital footprint every time they are on the Internet. It s important to keep personal information private, and to know that anything they say, type, record or do on the Internet is stored and can be accessed at a later date. You can t retract anything you do, so always put your best foot forward and represent yourself in a positive manner. 3. Students will open Photobooth, take their picture, drag it to the desktop, and QUIT Photobooth. Note: The VoiceThread camera will not work if Photobooth is open. 4. Students will log onto computers and open Firefox. 5. Students will type in the following URL: (NOT ed.voicethread com unless the teacher had an educators VoiceThread account prior to this year, OR has a paid subscription.) 6. Students will log into VoiceThread with the class account and password. 7. Students will control-click on the uploaded document/slide they will be commenting on and click Settings. Created by Tricia Yocum October 15, 2011

8. Click in the Remember box; click Allow and Close. This will allow the microphone and recorder to work. 9. Students will add another identity and upload their photo from the desktop. 10.

5 8. Click in the Remember box; click Allow and Close. This will allow the microphone and recorder to work. 9. Students will add another identity and upload their photo from the desktop. 10. Students will comment on the document slide to introduce themselves in the language they are studying. Extension/Challenge: If teacher is using this to improve fluency, multiple identical pages can be uploaded (with different dates on them) and students can record specific phrases over time and listen to their improved fluency. Students can be assigned in pairs and translate then type (in Microsoft Word) their partner s answers. Students can work collaboratively and upload pictures of different areas of the country they are studying, and describe the historical and cultural importance of the location. Classes from one school can invite classes from another school to comment on their VoiceThread. Classes with e-pal accounts can collaborate with their foreign e-pals via VoiceThread. Created by Tricia Yocum October 15, 2011

How To Create an Educator VoiceThread Account 1. Open Firefox and type in the following URL: www.ed.voicethread.com. 2. Click on Sign in or Register. 3. Click on Register. 4.

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Apply! for the free VT Educator Account. 10. Fill out the form and submit. 11. Check your email and click the link to verify your account. 12.

You will create accounts for each of your class periods. See the document titled How To Create Class Gmail and VoiceThread Accounts.

6 How To Create an Educator VoiceThread Account 1. Open Firefox and type in the following URL: 2. Click on Sign in or Register. 3. Click on Register. 4. Fill in your information and click Register. 5. Click on My Voice. 6. Click on the Join Ed.VoiceThread! button at the top of the page. 7. Click on K Click on Single Educator. 9. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Apply! for the free VT Educator Account. 10. Fill out the form and submit. 11. Check your and click the link to verify your account. 12. You can now create up to 50 free VoiceThreads for you and your class. 13. Create your class Gmail and VoiceThread account(s). Each free account will need to have a Gmail address associated with it. You will create accounts for each of your class periods. See the document titled How To Create Class Gmail and VoiceThread Accounts. Use the following URL to create the class VoiceThread accounts: (NOT from ed.voicethread.com. The new accounts won t be educator accounts). Info- each free VoiceThread account will be able to create 3 VoiceThreads. You can copy then share a VoiceThread from your educator account to the student VoiceThread accounts without affecting their 3 free VoiceThreads. Important Note: As of the fall of 2011, you will log into voicethread.com (NOT ed.voicethread.com) with your free educator account. 1 Last updated 12/5/11 Tricia Yocum

7 How To Create Class Gmail and VoiceThread Accounts Creating a Class Gmail Account Note: If you are logged into your District Google Docs, you will need to log out. 1. Type in the following URL: mail.google.com 2. Click on the Create Account button. 3. Fill out the form. 4. Suggestions: a. For the first name you might want to use the class and period with your name (i.e. Spanish5Yocum). b. For the last name you may want to use Class. 5. Choose a password that is easy for the students to remember (such as Spanish5). You don t want to use any of your personal passwords. 6. You can uncheck Stay signed in and Enable Web History. 7. Security Question: Suggestion- Write your own. Who is your Spanish teacher? or What is the three letter code for your school? 8. You can leave the Recovery blank or put in your district . If you leave it blank, you will later be prompted to provide either a text message or phone number for a verification code. 9. Use your birthday. 10. Accept the Conditions. Creating a Class VoiceThread Account 1. Open Firefox and type in the following URL: 2. Click on Sign in or Register. 3. Click on Register. 4. Use the class Gmail address and password as your VoiceThread and password. The Name can be your class and period (i.e. Spanish6Yocum Class). 5. Click on Register. 6. Your students will create their identities within this shared VoiceThread account and use this VoiceThread to comment. 1 Last updated 12/5/11 Tricia Yocum

How To Setup-Share-Comment on a VoiceThread Project VoiceThread Project Setup Important Note: Be sure students have

Either create a Word document that you want to upload or determine what picture(s)/movie(s) you want students to comment on.

Browse to find the appropriate document or picture. 6. Click on Add a Title and Description. 7. Click Save.

8 How To Setup-Share-Comment on a VoiceThread Project VoiceThread Project Setup Important Note: Be sure students have permission to publish (for the web) on file! 1. Either create a Word document that you want to upload or determine what picture(s)/movie(s) you want students to comment on. 2. Click the Create tab in VoiceThread. 3. Click Upload / Edit. 4. Click My Computer. 5. Browse to find the appropriate document or picture. 6. Click on Add a Title and Description. 7. Click Save. To upload additional pages after you ve created your project: 1. Click the Menu icon. 2. Click Edit. 3. Upload from My Computer. 4. Hold down Command key (on a Mac) to select multiple discontinuous pictures/documents. 5. Click Upload. 1 Last updated 12/5/11 Tricia Yocum

6. You also have the option to upload from your Flickr account, Facebook, or your class webpage.

Give it a title (i.e. P5). Since there are no comments, you can choose Don t include any comments. 4. Click the Menu icon on the copy you created. 5. Click Share. 6. Under My Contacts click Add+. 1.

8. Send on Send Invite. The invitee will get a link to click on (the link will be part of the image). You can also click on the Get a Link to Share button and send the link to others.

9 6. You also have the option to upload from your Flickr account, Facebook, or your class webpage. BE SURE you are uploading material you or your students have created, or material that is copyright free!! Sharing the VoiceThread 1. Click the Menu icon to see the options. 2. Click Make a copy. 3. Give it a title (i.e. P5). Since there are no comments, you can choose Don t include any comments. 4. Click the Menu icon on the copy you created. 5. Click Share. 6. Under My Contacts click Add+. 1. Type in the class Gmail account. 2. Click Add. 3. Type in any other accounts (i.e. another teacher, parents) that you wish to add. 7. Select from your contact list (by clicking on the contact). 8. Send on Send Invite. The invitee will get a link to click on (the link will be part of the image). You can also click on the Get a Link to Share button and send the link to others. Digital Citizenship Review: Remind students that since they are all accessing the VoiceThread through the same account, that they need to be good digital citizens and not delete someone else s comments/work. Pictures for Identities 1. Open Photobooth (click the search icon on the top left of the screen and type in Photobooth if it s not in your dock). 2. Take a picture of yourself. 3. Drag the picture to the desktop. 4. QUIT Photobooth. 2 Last updated 12/5/11 Tricia Yocum

If you are on a PC, take their pictures with a digital camera and upload to the My Pictures folder. Logging into VoiceThread 1. Open Firefox (Safari doesn t always record comments properly). 2.

10 If you are on a PC, take their pictures with a digital camera and upload to the My Pictures folder. Logging into VoiceThread 1. Open Firefox (Safari doesn t always record comments properly). 2. Type the following URL: voicethread.com 3. Have students sign into the VoiceThread with the class VoiceThread account (Not into your teacher VoiceThread account). xxx@gmail.com Password: xxx Microphone and Recording Settings 1. Click on the VoiceThread to open. 2. Control Click (right click on a PC) on the document you will be commenting on. 3. Click on the word Settings. 4. Click the second tab (screen with an eyeball); click so the radio button next to Allow is dark and there is a check in the box next to Remember then Close. Creating Identities 1. Click on the icon on the VoiceThread. 2. Click on create another identity. 3. Click on Add an Identity. 4. Recommendation: use student s language name (if they have one) or type their first name last initial. 3 Last updated 12/5/11 Tricia Yocum

5. If you want to use a picture, click on upload picture and select the picture from your computer. 6. Click Save. 7. Click Done. 8. Click Close. Commenting 1.

11 5. If you want to use a picture, click on upload picture and select the picture from your computer. 6. Click Save. 7. Click Done. 8. Click Close. Commenting 1. To Comment, click on the identity icon and choose their identity from the grid. 2. Click on the Comment button Your options are to use the pen to write or draw, do a voice recording, doodle, or a video recording. (Be aware that there is a 30 minute limit for the whole account when doing video recording). 4 Last updated 12/5/11 Tricia Yocum

How To Troubleshoot VoiceThread Recordings Problem #1: When the students try to record, when they click to put in their comment the webcam access pops up asking to "allow" access but the students are

12 How To Troubleshoot VoiceThread Recordings Problem #1: When the students try to record, when they click to put in their comment the webcam access pops up asking to "allow" access but the students are unable to click the allow button. Solution: Follow these steps to bypass the need to click "Allow" on that Flash menu: Go to: 06.html The image displayed is actually your settings manager, not just an image. Locate and click on "voicethread.com" in the list. Click "always allow." Repeat for these sites: cdn.voicethread.com, media.voicethread.com (sometimes these sites don t appear on the list. If so, skip it and see below). Problem #2: Voice is recording, but there is no video. Solution: Confirm that Flash is using the correct webcam to record video onto your VoiceThread. Follow these steps: Right click (on a PC) or Control-click (on a Mac) anywhere on a VoiceThread slide or your MyVoice page. Select "Settings". Click the image of a webcam. Select the correct source. If this doesn t take care of the problem, you may also need to have the students do the following steps: 1. Go voicethread.com 2. If the My Voice tab isn t showing, then log in. 3. Click on the My Voice tab. 4. Right click (or control click) on any VoiceThread project slide, then click on the word Settings. 1 Last updated 11/30/11 Tricia Yocum

5. On the first tab (with the picture of the monitor). 6.

Click on the second tab (with the picture of the eyeball on the monitor). 8.

Click on the third tab (with the folder and the green arrow). 11.

Click on the fourth tab (with the picture of the microphone). 13.

a headset with a microphone or external microphone if so, be sure it s

Pull the slider under the letter e in the word volume. 15.

13 5. On the first tab (with the picture of the monitor). 6. Click to put a check in the box. 7. Click on the second tab (with the picture of the eyeball on the monitor). 8. Click Allow. 9. Click Remember. 10. Click on the third tab (with the folder and the green arrow). 11. Drag slider to 1 MB (this increases the load storage). 12. Click on the fourth tab (with the picture of the microphone). 13. Use the pull down menu to select built in microphone (unless you are using a headset with a microphone or external microphone if so, be sure it s plugged in first and select USB microphone). 14. Pull the slider under the letter e in the word volume. 15. Click on the fifth tab (with the picture of the eyeball webcam). 16. Use the pull down menu to select Built-in isight if you are using the computer s camera. If you are using a USB camera, select USB. 17. Click Close. 2 Last updated 11/30/11 Tricia Yocum

14 Note: If the student s are accessing an embedded VoiceThread (e.g. it s embedded on the teacher s website) then students need to use the above steps after they ve accessed the VoiceThread from within the teacher s website. 3 Last updated 11/30/11 Tricia Yocum

15 Here is a parent letter that can be adapted for your project if you haven t already sent home Permission to Publish Forms. Dear Parents, Our class will be working on a VoiceThread project. Only first names will be used in our project. Here is a description from their website A VoiceThread is an online media album that allows a group of people to make comments on images, videos, and documents, really simply. You can participate 5 different ways - using your voice (with a microphone or telephone), text, audio file, or video (with a webcam). It's easy to control who can access and comment on a VoiceThread, which makes it a secure place to talk about almost anything: business and academic presentations, travelogues, family history, art critiques, language study, tutorials, book clubs and digital storytelling. A VoiceThread allows an entire group conversation to be collected from anywhere in the world and then shared in one simple place. Students will bring home a Permission to Publish form on. This needs to be signed and returned by. My child may participate in the VoiceThread project in the following ways: His/her picture No picture just a random icon First name Alias name Voice Commenting Doodling (drawing) Original artwork Since this project will be private, the only access to view or comment on the project will be via invitation. Therefore, I will be sending an in addition to this letter to all parents who have addresses listed with the district in PowerSchool. When you receive this , please respond so I can track who has viable addresses. If you do NOT receive an from me it means I don t have an address for you. Please me so I can add you to our list. If you have relatives (grandparents, aunts and uncles) that you d like to have invited to the project please me with their addresses.

16 Yes Yes Yes Yes VoiceThread Assessment Checklist No Student created an identity in VoiceThread No Student commented in VoiceThread No Student interacted and collaborated with multilingual communities through electronic media, and audio and visual sources. No Student greeted others and gave basic information about himself/herself in another language (or if ASL with correct signing and/or fingerspelling).!! Optional rubric chart for vocabulary and pronunciation and fluency Student answered % of Student answered % of Student answered % of all questions fluently with all questions fluently with all questions with vocabulary minimal vocabulary and/or minimal vocabulary and/or or pronunciation errors pronunciation errors. pronunciation errors. and/or was not fluent. World Languages ASL! Student answered % of all questions with minimal signing and/or fingerspelling errors. Student answered % of all questions with minimal signing and/or fingerspelling errors. Student answered % of all questions with signing and/or fingerspelling errors. Student rarely answered questions fluently with correct vocabulary and/or pronunciation. Student rarely answered questions with correct signing and/or fingerspelling.

Voicethread a tutorial for instructors

Voicethread a tutorial for instructors Table of Contents What is Voicethread? 3 Logging into your Voicethread Account 5 Creating a Voicethread 7 Uploading Media 7 Uploading from My Computer 9 Uploading