Running Head: Web 2.0 Tools 1

Web 2.0 Tools

Mary Lanham-Bates University of South Carolina Aiken

On my honor as a University of South Carolina Aiken student, I have completed my work according to the principle of Academic Integrity. I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment.

Mary Lanham-Bates October 30, 2013

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Mary Lanham-Bates EDET 746, Spring 2013 Web 2.0 Tools October 30, 2013

Web 2.0 Tools Technology is a versatile tool that can truly enhance student achievement and build a secure future for students of all ages. Effective technology allows students to reach their greatest heights. Teachers evaluate technology to envision if it has the capabilities to influence students in a positive, uplifting way. There is one Web 2.0 tool that really speaks volumes of what true technology should embody. This Web 2.0 tool is Voice Thread; it provides students with an opportunity to truly listen to their fellow classmates’ comment and make logical connections to one another. To begin with, Voice Thread is a web based learning tool that can “boost the learning skills and motivation of struggling students as they work with multimedia to explore subject areas, express their ideas, and share information—and all at their own

pace and learning level” (Brunvand and Byrd, p. 1). Weir (2013) described Voice Threads as interactive media albums that are essentially online slide shows of images, documents, or videos that enable viewers to comment on any slide (or at any point in the video) by typing, recording an audio or video comment, or drawing on the image itself. Voice Thread has helped some students who are easily disturbed, academically challenged, and those with other issues, such as timidity. Subsequently, current trends in education emphasize the importance of meeting the needs of all learners; thus, this Web 2.0 tool provides teachers with a strategy to help these students. In fact, there are some students who cannot read or express themselves orally. It is remarkable that Voice Thread gives timid students a voice and motivation to perform at a higher level. Furthermore, there are students who “developed powerful habits of relying on their teachers for work completion” (Brunvand and Byrd, p.1). Unfortunately, these students do not have the skills necessary to complete assignments that involve formal discussion or that have extensive writing requests. When these students are asked to complete assignments on their own, they are not able to and so often do not gain the desired skill. When this occurs, school engagement and learner codependence suffer among this population. These “innovative technological tools, programs, and software can be used to promote student engagement, motivation, and ultimately enhance the quality of the learning experience for students with disabilities” (Brunvand and Byrd, p.1). Imagine giving a student a voice, a way to express himself, a way to become an active participant in a classroom. It is a necessity that some students are given a chance to pursue. Voice Thread is currently being used in the Academic Support classes at Saluda High School. The students in these classes are delighted to have a tool that can make them feel like champions. It gives them an opportunity to reach their goals and become a member of the class. They enjoy working with the tool to improve their communication skills and improve their writing skills for their core classes. It helps the students feel more deserving of praise and more connected to the other students within

the district. Weir (2013) states that when more students participate more actively in

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digital discussions than in the classroom. He continues to say, “Students don't have to be the loud one or the popular one to actually participate in the web based discussion. So often students can’t learn or put their feeling in it unless there are certain special educations. He says that teacher exploits the students' enthusiasm by pushing them to engage in free writing, an activity he thinks is too often overlooked. Weir (2013) "Because it's so motivating to the kids already, they're willing to do those bits of writing I could probably never get them to do in class.” Weir (2013) states that one teacher commented about VoiceThread: "If I asked them, 'Take out a piece of paper and do some writing about your thoughts on the Sudan, or injustice,' I probably wouldn't get much." Yet his VoiceThread on the Darfur conflict drew sixty-plus comments from thirty-six of his fifty-three students. This is a typical story of teachers who see a complete change in motivation with some of their students. VoiceThread allows these students to explore writing in a non-threatening atmosphere without feeling negative about the feedback from peers or even the teacher. The web 2.0 tool boosts shyness and increases participation and motivation to learn. It becomes a safety net for many students who would not have the courage to present their ideas on paper.

Also, the technology is particularly accessible because viewers can comment using just about any technology -- including a good old landline. Students do not have to have a fancy cell phone or computer at home to use Voice Thread; instead, they can use their home phone to record their responses. There are students who do not have computers at home or who do not have a Smartphone, so the user friendly Voice Thread is a perfect solution. It allows students to have the same privileges as other students. No student has to suffer because of finances. It is easy to see how students could benefit from having the accessibility of a house phone. Contrary to popular belief, cell phones have not completely erased the home phone, for there are people who still rely upon the home phone.

It's also easy to learn the basics of VoiceThread. Tutorials on the site help students get started or explain more advanced features, such as video doodling -- pausing a video and drawing on the frozen image like a sportscaster commenting on a play. Most students enjoy advanced features such as these. They also enjoy pretending to be someone like a sportscaster or meteorologist. Not only can students comment orally but also they can use certain graphic features to enhance their verbal responses. This can really make the responses more unique and can arouse students to improve their comments and create meaningful responses for their fellow classmates and teachers. Voice Thread has the potential to help students reach their goals and respond creatively without having to use the dreadful paper and pencil. There are students who hate the idea of putting thoughts of the paper because they can be scrutinized more than the verbal response.

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The irony of most writing abilities among students is that they struggle to write responses, but they can express themselves orally sometimes to perfection. Thus, Voice Thread becomes a happy medium for students. Most importantly, educators can use Voice Thread in general education, self-contained, special education, and one-on-one setting; it is very universal (Brunvand and Byrd, p.2). An important ingredient for learning success in school is the ability to engage and sustain attention to maintain motivation to complete tasks. Voice Thread empowers these students who would otherwise feel secluded and voiceless; they now have a means to become an active participant in class and build trust among their classmates. Students with emotional, social, or behavioral problems must be given a chance to do the tasks that their counterparts are able to complete. Since Voice Thread creates an opportunity for students to engage with others, so students with ADHD, learning disabilities, or even autism feel free to collaborate and maintain a strong voice. Imagine a student who has never been able to engage in class discussion because they stutter badly. With Voice Thread this student can create recording in intervals so that he or she does not become stressed. Studies show that stress causes stuttering to worsen. Also, imagine a student whose handwriting is so illegible that he or she is ashamed to write responses that will be read by others. This very student could use Voice Thread to create an original response that would not shed negative light on his or her writing deficient. This student can create a connection to his or her classmates and feel comfortable sharing ideas.

It amazes most teachers at how students struggle with self-esteem and do not have any tools that can help them overcome this unique struggle. Teachers experience a large amount of students who do not have the necessary writing skills to create a logical, thorough response, so they tend to push away from truly expressing their ideas on paper. Either they will not write anything or they will write a small amount that does not illustrate their ideas. If students have trouble expressing their ideas on paper, then they can depend on an innovative tool that can be accessed by any student. The beauty of Voice Thread is that it free, user friendly, easy to learn, and interactive. Any student can use the tool and not feel threatened by its features. Voice Thread can be accessed through the students’ home phone which allows students who do not have a computer at home or an expensive Smartphone to still be able to us the Web 2.0 tool. Its interactive features are an advantage since students can have a discussion with as many students as desired. The students can collaborate with students who live in another town, another state, and even another country. The possibilities are tremendous and the outcome is so unique, for students who have emotional, social, or academic problems can become a productive member of the class and provide their personal responses to other students who may actually benefit from their oral contribution. Voice Thread is a 2.0 web tool that needs to be used more often, and teachers who currently use it must begin to spread the word that this tool has the potential to change the face of education. Not only does Voice Thread allow more engagement within the classroom, but also it creates a true voice for all students, a voice that can be shared and heard by others from all over the world.

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References Brunvand, Stein and Sara Byrd, (2011). Using Voice Thread to promote learning

engagement and success of all students. Teaching Exceptional Children. 43(4). Retrieved from http://voicethread.com/media/misc/support/JTECVoiceThread.pdf

Weir, Laila, (2013). VoiceThread Extends the Classroom with Interactive Multimedia

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Albums. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/voicethread-interactive-multimedia-albums