my version of transparent, collaborative leadership...with a Teamann twist

Mystery Thread

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I was contacted by Craig Badura, a K-5 media/technology integrationist, also known from the That Guy in the Library Blog. He was interested in collaborating with different classes on a mystery skype/Voice Thread project. We set up a three way project amongst classes of second graders.

Each student was asked to draw a landmark that could identify where we were from. Craig, Martha, Mrs. Bain and I communicated back and forth through a google doc where we got everything all situated. (Amazingly convenient!)
Today Mrs. Bain’s group added their comments, it was auh-dorable to see how excited the students were to share their “landmark”. It turns out that Ms. Lackey’s class is only 40 minutes away. I wonder how long it will take for our students to figure that out!

Not sure what a VoiceThread is? A VoiceThread is a collaborative, multimedia slide show that holds images, documents, and videos and allows people to navigate pages and leave comments in 5 ways – using voice (with a mic or telephone), text, audio file, or video (via a webcam). You can share a VoiceThread with friends, students, and colleagues for them to record comments too. Instead of a parent program or assembly just for your class, you can create a VT and share with the audience of your choice!

 

Here’s several great “idea” banks to help you get started!

 

Some tips to get ya going?

 

 

 

  • Use your computer’s built-in microphone or a USB headset to record audio for your VoiceThread.
  • You can input your cell phone number onto VoiceThread, and the site will call you to record your audio.
  • PowerPoints can be easily uploaded onto VoiceThread. Save your PowerPoint slides as jpg files and upload them to your VoiceThread
  • Upload a variety of files to your VoiceThread including pdf, docs, etc.
  • You can record up to 15 minutes of audio per slide on the VoiceThread site.
  • The VoiceThread site will automatically scale photos so they fit the allotted space.
  • Allow anyone to view and anyone to comment on your VoiceThreads, but be sure to moderate all comments.
  • If you are concerned about sharing student work, you can opt to not allow your VoiceThread to be shown on the browse list.
  • You can create sharing groups to choose who can view and comment on specific VoiceThreads.
  • You can export your VoiceThread as a .mov file and burn copies for your class.
  • You can subscribe to VoiceThreads that you like.

I love this example of Math Strategies because it goes back to what we just talked about in staff development. Let students figure out their OWN way of solving a problem! (math + technology = happy Teamann!)

 

 

If you’d like to create a VT for your Lions…holler! Ask pain…quick and painless!

 

VT-ly,

Amber

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