Voicethread+and+Podcasting+resources

Workshop resources for the 25th August workshop at Fraser Crescent. If you don't already have an accessible email account you will need to go [|here] to set up a gmail account.

__**Podcasting**__ The ever-knowledgeable Suzie Vesper has a comprehensive resource on podcasting here. I have used [|Podomatic] with my class as you can record straight to the website. They posted reviews of books, stories they had written and inquiry work such as interviews with historical figures written by the children. It is great for the kids when they get emails/comments etc from relatives and friends encouraging them, as this proves they have an audience! I posted a quick videopodcast to prove how easy it is [|here!] My class podcasts are viewable [|here.] You may decide other sites are better suited for podcasting, iTunes is, of course the most popular. To sign up for Podomatic you will need to fill in the sign up form and that is it! Once you are in click on "Post a new episode" and you are away. What are you waiting for- give it a go! Your task is to create a podcast by making a book review from a book chosen from Fraser Crescent library. Think about the essential elements required and have a look [|here] for more tips. Be prepared to share the results with the group!

__**VoiceThread**__ With VoiceThread, group conversations are collected and shared in one place from anywhere in the world. All with **no software to install**. It is really a bit of a mix between podcasting and slideshows. 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). [|Share] a VoiceThread with friends, students, and colleagues for them to record comments too. Users can [|doodle] while commenting, use multiple [|identities], and pick which comments are shown through [|moderation]. VoiceThreads can even be [|embedded] to show and receive comments on other websites and [|exported] to MP3 players or DVDs to play as archival movies. [|This page] on their digital library shows some of the possibilities and I like the way that Voicethread has been used to good effect to collaborate using oral language on [|this example] in particular. [|"Letters from the Internment Camps"] brings together elements of historical research, ethics, art, self-reflection, writing, speaking, and collaboration.

Check out how to use Voicethread on Suzie Vespers wiki.  There are slideshows and screenshots here on her VoiceThread page. So, how does it work? well first you need to sign up. For this you will need an email address. I used my gmail address for flexibility. There is an option to open a [|free educator account] that allows you to have unlimited Voicethreads rather than the usual 3 for a normal free account plus 2 gigs storage instead of the usual 75mb, so if you are serious about using Voicethread it is worth doing. The help manual on that page could also prove useful. Once you have an email address I suggest you read a tutorial or 2 then sign up for an account and have a go at creating a voicethread of your own. So once you have finished exploring use [|google images] or [|Flickr] to download some pictures to put on your Voicethread and then add some audio. Think about a theme- global warming, futility of war or something more upbeat?! [|This is one I threw together last night] using images from the web and experimenting with my microphone/webcam at home. Could you add some of your own comments to some of the images?