Engage Your Learners with VoiceThreadWhen designing for e-learning environments, it is important to identify and select appropriate e-learning tools to fulfill learning objectives. Voice-Thread is one of the e-learning tools that can enhance students' learning and help them to create, collaborate, share, network, and present their work. VoiceTreadWhat is Voice-Thread? VoiceThread as an interactive online presentation tool that consists of a series of slides, similar to PowerPoint. It can be run in a variety of browsers (e.g., Explorer, Firefox, Safari) and on multiple operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux). This multimedia slide show includes images, documents, and videos. It allows people to navigate slides and add comments to each slide by using voice (with a mic or telephone), text, audio file, or video (via a webcam).VoiceThread also has a “doodle” feature that lets users draw on each individual slide whether it is an image, video, or document. This feature provides an opportunity to highlight a specific aspect of a slide as it is being discussed. Doodle markings fade with time so that slides do not become permanently marked up or obscured by multiple doodles or drawings. VoiceThread presentations can be shared with others. Once a presentation is completed, access can be granted for others to join the conversation through commenting. Application to Education Nowadays, many scholars emphasize the importance of meeting the needs of all learners. According to Brookfield (2006) ,the teaching-learning process is about the learner, not the teacher. Therefore, teachers have the responsibility to ensure students succeed. As such, they should try to engage students, motivate them, and differentiate instruction for students who struggle with the general curriculum and instruction . VoiceThread as one of the useful e-learning tools that can be especially helpful at increasing student engagement and motivation while activating learning. This tool is particularly useful for students who are shy or have less confidence. VoiceThread makes it possible for such students to clearly formulate their thoughts and ideas before sharing them in class discussions. Many scholars believe that VoiceThread has many implications for educational environments. Teachers and students can use it as a storytelling tool, a deep thinking tool, a research tool, an expository communication tool, and even an assessment tool . To explore this idea, McCormack (2010) conducted a qualitative study among 25 students and found that the implementation of VoiceThread assignments increased students’ reflective response, engagement, and Web technology literacy. He added that students who use VoiceThread are always asking questions, making connections, forming opinions and gathering facts. Similarly, Augustsson (2010) found that the use of VoiceThread supported collaboration processes because it revealed students’ individual efforts, allowed the creation of “task ownership” for students, and strengthened students’ identification with the group. Furthermore, Ching and Hsu (2013) examined twenty graduate students’ experiences withsing VoiceThread for a collaborative activity. The results of this study revealed that graduate students had very positive experiences with using VoiceThread for collaborative learning. The participants found that VoiceThread was easy to learn and use and they reported that the audio and video interaction features helped with connecting to their peers. Kidd (2013) also found that using VoiceThread to deliver course content can enhance students’ learning, create connections with peers and the instructor, and promote teacher presence in an online course. Therefore, it can be concluded that VoiceThread as a Web-based learning tool has great potential for motivating and engaging learners with different needs; fostering higher-order thinking; and supporting collaboration processes. Considerations for the Instructor VoiceThread is very easy to learn and use . It is easily accessible and does not require the installation of software. First, users should create an account (either free or paid accounts) and then upload their PowerPoint or PDF presentation. After uploading their presentation, they can add text, voice, phone call, audio, or video comments. This could be an excellent resource for absent students; it could also be a way for students to comment on presentations they have made together. In addition, VoiceThread is a flexible and cost-effective tool and can be used for a variety of topics in many learning activities (e.g. small group or whole group discussions, or independent work in or away from school) . Students do not need to have advanced ICT abilities to collaborate in this learning environment. In fact, VoiceThread provides an opportunity for students to participate in collaborative activities at their own pace . For example, students can leave comments on a specific point of the presentation. In addition, they can record their audio on VoiceThread or use other recording tools and then upload the resulting audio to VoiceThread. These features make the collaborative process easier for learners and help them to participate in discussions more efficiently. Moreover, VoiceThread can serve as an archive where comments, conversations, and images are stored and made available for access at a later time. Students can revisit topics as needed or gain access to learning activities they may have missed.
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