Evaluating VoiceThread for the Elementary Classroom
- Sarah Hodgson
- Mar 4, 2012
- 4 min read
My first assignment for the Certificate in Educational Technologies course I am currently taking required me to evaluate three Web 2.0 tools (or apps), focusing specifically on the learning value for use in classrooms. Referring to the revised Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy and ISTE NETS for students I evaluated VoiceThread, A Fine Musician and GlowTunes.
EVALUATION #1
My first evaluation refers to VoiceThread which is designed to enable you to “create and share dynamic conversations around documents, snapshots, diagrams and videos”. After exploring both iPad and web-based versions and discovering a few limitations on the iPad, I used the web version via the Promethean board. My intention was to use VoiceThread as a reflection tool in an Early Childhood setting.
I identified the potential for a range of thinking skills to be used here. The students would be remembering – identifying and describing the previous lesson’s activity. They would also be analysing – comparing and discussing the differences between the two pictures. Even at this young age, there would also be an opportunity for the students to be evaluating – by critiquing and commenting on the work they had done. With regards to NETS for students, the students would be involved in communication by using digital media to communicate their ideas (albeit on a very basic level). Having trialled the tool with six different Reception classes (four to five year olds), I believe that there is much value for learning in using VoiceThread with this age group. The students were reflecting on each other’s work , they were engaged and initially very excited when we played back their comments (lots of giggles!). I imagine that once the initial novelty factor has worn off and the students are more used to the process they will become more confident and articulate in their use of commenting. It seems to be an appropriate tool for the younger students who are not yet able to physically write down comments about their work. I believe there is much potential in using VoiceThread with Lower School students. I came across the VoiceThread for Education wiki which outlines a multitude of ideas for using VoiceThread in the classroom, including its use in promoting reading fluency in older students. I think there is also value for teachers in using VoiceThread, particularly as a means of formative assessment. It is a user-friendly platform that allows teachers to record students’ verbal or written responses. There is also the opportunity to export VoiceThreads, enabling the teacher to keep a record of the students’ work. In addition to this, if the school eventually moves to digital student portfolios, VoiceThreads could easily be incorporated.
The following two evaluations are both iPad apps. As I work with the youngest students of the Lower School, teaching performing arts to three-to-six-year-olds, I feel that the iPad is a much more user-friendly platform for little hands.
EVALUATION #2
My second evaluation looks at A Fine Musician. Basically a rhythmical story app, it features many expressive onomatopoeic words and a variety of musical instruments. My intention was to use the app to enhance a musical drama lesson with Reception classes. The app utilizes mainly lower order thinking skills (remembering and applying). Having used the app in the classroom I have come to the conclusion that the digital literacy value is pretty low. While it made for an exciting springboard into work on percussion instruments, I felt that the learning was superficial and there were no opportunities for creative or critical thinking. At a stretch I could say that the students were demonstrating the ability to use an application effectively (NETS Technology Operations and Concepts). The most valuable part of the experience for me was watching four year olds instinctively (and very rapidly) work out how the app worked. Incredible. In a nutshell it is a cute, electronic story book that the students enjoyed. Would I use the app again in a performing arts classroom? Probably not.
EVALUATION #3
My third evaluation is based on an app called GlowTunes (for more detailed evaluation see earlier post here). Although advertised as an app that “combines light and sound to create stunning works of art”, I intended to use it as a musical composition tool.
I wanted to use iPads with Prep classes to create another dimension to the students’ experience of composition and to enhance their understanding of pattern and repetition. I saw an opportunity for the students to be creative; applying existing knowledge to generate new musical ideas. Communication and collaboration would play a large role in the learning engagement as students were to work in groups, sharing one device between three or four students (and a parent helper) to create a musical pattern together. The students would be using mostly higher order thinking skills through evaluating (experimenting, collaborating) and creating (constructing, inventing, making).
The students were extremely enthusiastic and confident about using iPads in the classroom and were obviously captivated by the visual and kinesthetic elements of the app. The buzz in the classroom was amazing. Students were relaxed, working collaboratively, talking about their learning and concentrating on the task at hand. The students tended to focus primarily on the visual aspect of patterning and although they were interested in the way their pattern would sound, this did not affect the way they created their visual score. For this reason I would definitely recommend using the app to consolidate the students’ understanding of pattern, but would not define it as musical composition tool (for this age group). Older students would certainly be able to focus more on the pitch movement created by the visual imagery.
Overall, I think that the experience incorporated many attributes and attitudes embedded in the PYP program. The students needed to be inquirers, risk-takers, communicators and open-minded. They demonstrated creativity, cooperation, confidence, curiosity and enthusiasm. Certainly a worthwhile activity that I would use again.
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