Thing 1: VoiceThread

Let's get started! Since VoiceThread is one of the more-used web tools at ISM, I thought it would be a good place to begin.

Basically, VoiceThread allows you to have a conversation, using images and video, with other people. Imagine a slideshow, but with only images and video. You share this with other people (a class, a department, parents, the world, etc.) and these people can make comments on each of your images and video clips. They can comment using written text, voice messages, or video messages.

According to VoiceThread's website, the act of "voicethreading" is:

1. to communicate ideas using more than one of the senses
2. to connect with an audience in an authentic and simple manner
3. a discussion that simulates a live presence

With a VoiceThread account, you can create individual VoiceThreads. For each VoiceThread, you can upload images and/or video, comment on each page using text, audio or video, and then share the VoiceThread with other users, who can then make their own comments using text, audio or video. It's amazing!

Here is a VoiceThread I created as a demonstration:

Also, here is a website created for teachers to share how they've used VoiceThread in the classroom: VoiceThread 4 Education Wiki

VoiceThread also has a library of lesson ideas submitted by educators: VoiceThread Digital Library

***ISM has purchased a number of VoiceThread educator accounts. If you did not already have an account, I had the IT department create an account for you. Your username is your ISM email address and your password is Ismanila13. You will be required to change your password the first time you log in. If you have problems getting in, let me know!***

TO COMPLETE THING 1:

• Browse these websites VoiceThread 4 Education Wiki, VoiceThread Digital Library for VoiceThread examples.
• Make at least ONE comment on my VoiceThread (I made it "public", so anyone can comment-- feel free to use text, voice, or video commenting!)
• Log in to your VoiceThread account and create a VoiceThread with at least 5 slides. It can be about anything!
• Create a "Thing 1: VoiceThread" post on your blog. Either paste in the link to your VoiceThread or embed it like I did here. Holly E. found a great YouTube video on embedding VT into Blogger: Embedding a VoiceThread on Blogger
• In your "Thing 1: VoiceThread" post, reflect on your experience. Did you like it? How would you use it professionally? If not, why not?

'MASTER'S EDITION':

If you are a VoiceThread "Pro" (or at least have made a few), you should still complete each of these steps, but instead of making a simple VoiceThread, think about how you can do something new-- something to challenge your skills/understanding of VT. Use it with students/parents/colleagues. Try using only video clips. Or only original photographs. Let your creativity run wild!

Welcome to Level Up! With 11 Things on a Jeepney

Hello, and welcome to the program! Level Up! With 11 Things on a Jeepney is a staff technology professional development program designed to fit the learning needs, organizational demands, and busy professional lifestyle of today's educators, many of whom work in 1:1 environments. It is also a response to the increasing diversification of assessment styles and student sophistication with and interest in using technology tools to demonstrate their learning.

The tools we'll be exploring are tools that can enhance your CREATIVITY, COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, and PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY.

HERE IS MY DISCLAIMER/SOAPBOX:

Technology is a tool. BYOD programs, 1:1 programs, classroom carts of iPads and Chromebooks, none of these are replacing or subsuming good teaching. The adoption of devices and the usage of digital tools should enhance, when enhancements are necessary; replace when replacement makes sense; and, ultimately, free you and your students by providing greater access to information, by providing tools to communicate and collaborate, by providing opportunities to create "beyond the box", and by making our lives more efficient. Harnessing the power of the web and of student devices is a good thing; using technology without a clear purpose is not. If it makes more sense to assess, teach a lesson, or organize yourself analog-style (paper + pencil, etc.), do it that way. If you or your students can benefit from using a web tool, give it a try! If it fails, who cares? How better to demonstrate to students the importance of taking risks and trying new things than to learn something new together-- regardless if it's a "success" on the first try?

TO COMPLETE THE INTRODUCTION:

• Create a blog for the program. You could use Blogger (a Google Apps product), WordPress, or something else. If you currently maintain a class or personal blog and would like to use that instead, simply create a page within that blog for the 11 Things on a Jeepney program. See Alicia if you need help!
• Write your first post.
• Introduce yourself and your role
• Let us know what you think about technology in education-- what you like, don't like, questions, concerns, favorite things, etc.
• Tell us your favorite place to visit in Asia
• Send me (Alicia) the link to your blog (duella@ismanila.org).

BONUS MATERIAL THAT I COULDN'T RESIST INCLUDING:

I searched high and low on YouTube for a short explanation explaining the purpose of technology integration. I thought this one did a pretty good job.



For a short, inspiring interview with Sir Ken Robinson on the art of teaching and how technology offers new opportunities to engage student imagination, watch this:



Embedded below is the interactive flyer explaining the Level Up! With 11 Things on a Jeepney program: