Students are desperately craving an opportunity to connect with their friends; not surprisingly, their use of anything that enables socialization while at school is deeply desired.Danah Boyd—University of California-Berkeley (2008)

Speaking and Listening StandardsBeginning in 3rd grade

1.Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly

Speaking and Listening Standards: Grade 5 detailb.Follow agreed-upon rules for

discussions and carry out assigned rolesc.Pose and respond to specific questions

by making comments that contribute the the discussion and elaborate on the remarks of others

d.Review key ideas expressed and draw conclusions in light of information and knowledge gained from discussions

Writing StandardsBeginning in 3rd grade

6 Use technology to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others

Voice Oral language development Meaningful use of academic vocabulary Teacher modeling Personal connection outside of school

Online service - free and paid modelsBrowser basedOnline media album

Images from computer or internet Audio from microphone, webcam or

uploadCommenting

http://voicethread.com

Introduce concept or processReverse instructionDebateOral language developmentFormative assessment

Group learning space All levels of understanding supported Mistakes and revisions are OK

Transparent learning and growth Record of oral language development Teacher intervention/redirection within

space

http://voicethread.com

Gather factsMake connectionsAsk questionsGive opinions

Bill Ferriter, Center for Teaching Quality

Is this an image of a Romanesque or

Gothic architectural style? Defend your

answer by identifying visual evidence in the

image.

Is this an image of a Romanesque or

Gothic architectural style? Defend your

answer by identifying visual evidence in the

image.

Comment well connected to selection

Comment encourages further conversation Building on prior comments Refuting prior comments Encourage further study of selection

Meaningful use of annotation tools (doodles)

Michelle Pacansky-Brock, Director of Online and Hybrid Support Center, CSU East Bay

Mearan asked a good question. Is judgment out

of our own control? I think that judgment is a

natural instinct that occurs whenever we see anything. Whether or not

we listen to our judgments is our choice. Do you think it is easier

to listen to our judgments or to ignore them?

Mearan asked a good question. Is judgment out

of our own control? I think that judgment is a

natural instinct that occurs whenever we see anything. Whether or not

we listen to our judgments is our choice. Do you think it is easier

to listen to our judgments or to ignore them?

Begin with group commenting Written draft Use sentence frames

Join the conversation Model appropriate responses

Revisit comments in class Identify elements of quality comments

Please respond with your ideas at http://bit.ly/voicethread_comments