Reflecting on Reflecting

OK, so…

Having been given my first CET assignment (which also happens to be my first assignment since graduating from university in 1994!), I decide to be a risk taker – trying to embody the PYP Learner Profile as much as I can!

Last Monday (6th Feb) we were introduced to VoiceThread and Prezi. VoiceThread I had heard of, but never used before. I had planned to look at it over the Christmas holiday, but never managed to find the time. Prezi I had played with a little bit before, but never made (or used) a complete presentation.

Our first CET assignment was to evaluate three web 2.0 tools (or iPad apps). I decided (in my infinite wisdom) to combine some extra personal learning with the assignment. So I wanted to make a choice – it was either going to be VoiceThread (VT) or Prezi. While I love the way the finished presentations can look on Prezi, I went with VT in the end as I thought it would be the tool that I would be most likely to use in my classroom.

I wanted my use of the tool to be relevant to the learning engagements that were already happening in my classroom. Reception classes (four-to-five year olds) have been working with various drama techniques, including mime and tableau. I was keen for them to somehow use VT as a reflection tool.

My first task was to make the VoiceThread presentation. I managed to navigate around the tool without too much trouble. 

Here it is:

http://voicethread.com/book.swf?b=2705611

Next, I thought carefully about how I would actually present it to the students. I’m going to use a ‘taxonomy of reflection‘ model developed by Peter Pappas to organise my thoughts here as I am hoping this will also increase my understanding of Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy.

Remembering: What did I do?

Before introducing VT to the classes I tried using it both on the Promethean board and on the iPad. The iPad version seemed a better option for ‘little fingers’, but I discovered that I was only able to record comments with one identity (I have emailed VT support about that). Also, Reception students are used to using the Promethean board in their homeroom classes so I chose to use that instead of the iPad.

I told the students that we would be looking at photographs of the previous lesson’s work and talking about it, comparing the original illustration to the tableau made by the students. I also showed them a brief demonstration of how VT worked and what they were expected to do if they wanted to be one of the volunteers to comment. I quickly realised that these younger students were only able to complete one part of the VoiceThread comment process at a time. Talk or draw. Not both together at the same time. Most of them decided to talk first and then draw. Most students were eager to have a go and thought it was hilarious that their comments could be played back to them! 

Understanding: What was important about it?

I’m not really sure how much authentic reflection was going on. VT was such a novelty to them that they just wanted to play with it, which completely appropriate for this age (or should that be ANY age?). in the end it turned into more of a peer evaluation than anything else. However, I do consider this an important activity. It has been a good introduction to verbal commenting, which is entirely appropriate for this age range as they are not yet writing.

Applying: Where could I use this again?

I envisage potential for VoiceThread to be used in a wide range of ways throughout the primary school years.

Analysing: Do I see any patterns in what I did?

I tried to present the VT in the same way to each of the six classes in order to fairly gauge the responses. With each class came different challenges. The students (four and five year olds) were not able to talk and draw at the same time. Their voices were quiet so did not always get picked up by the laptop microphone. One class just couldn’t stop giggling or making noises when we were trying to record. By the time I got to the sixth class we used a pattern for each recording: child speaks first (standing next to computer), child draws on Promethean.

Evaluating: How well did I do?

Not bad for a first try! If the learning intention is authentic I can see VT being a very valuable tool in the primary school classroom.

Creating: What should I do next?

First, I am going to share the VoiceThread with a wider audience. I am going to share it with the homeroom teachers of the classes I tried it with and see if they think it is a valuable exercise. I will seriously consider using VT again in the future as a visual and aural reflection tool. I would also like to see how well it works with older students.

#Reflecting