What:
Voicethread allows you to put audio to a collection of images. The unique feature of this web based application, is the way it allows an audience to comment on the piece using audio themselves at the end of each slide. It creates a uniquely interactive space.
Ease of use:
Simple registration required, and Voicethread is quite straightforward to use. Popups are a feature of this application, so be sure to check they are enabled in in your browser settings.
Writing application:
While you can draw images for your story from multiple sources, the most appropriate are likely to be either Flickr (which requires you to have a Flickr ID) or accessed from your own drive. With this in mind, it's suggested that students first be instructed to search for images for their story (between 10 and 15 are likely to be sufficient).
Once you've uploaded your images, Voicethread then gives you the opportunity to comment on each, and then publish your work. One of the nice features of this application is that it enables you to export your story in more than one format, you can even embed the results in your own website. Particularly useful if you intend to publish the stories on your school website for example.
Another nice feature of this site is that when you are ready to record your audio, you can do it directly with the browser, as long as you have a microphone incorporated in your hardware.
Suited: Secondary school students.
Teaching with an existing text:
Like Sketchcast, Voicethread enables you to explore a subject using images with overlaid audio. Finding a collection of images related to the text and then explaining their relevance is the most obvious application of Voicethread. If your story is set in Japan for example, you might include images of key locations in the novel and then explain their relevance.
Adding commentary on existing pieces is a feature of this application, and it's suggested that you encourage students to comment on each others work as a way of concluding this exercise.
NOTE: It's important to note that creating stories or class project work on a free VoiceThread account allows any other user to comment and contribute. If this concerns you, there are Education accounts that can be set up for a class or library at a low cost. The advantage is that you are able to have a 'closed shop', allowing only comments from your class or invited participants. Of course this means you miss out on the varied and rich VoiceThread community contributing to your students work.
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