Distance Learning: Student Needs/Teacher Skills- VoiceThread

View our VoiceThread Presentation here:

http://voicethread.com/share/3221768/

Description of how the group collaborated in the making of the presentation:
     When I chose my group, no one else had picked it!  By that evening, Julia W had emailed both Bethanie and I with a proposed outline for our presentation.  We decided to use email and Google documents as our means of communication and collaboration. With us having conflicting schedules, we were not able to chat online about the presentation, but found that email would work just fine.  Email was easier for me because I was out of town with a school function and unfortunately I couldn’t be at a computer most of the time from Sunday till Thursday, but I could check my email at any time.   Everyone was quick to respond to any emails sent.

     After several emails discussing the format of the speech, we agreed on who would do each part of the presentation.  After deciding to use PowerPoint for our presentation, each person added their information to a slide show template that Julia created.  Bethanie and I sent our completed PowerPoint slides to Julia and she uploaded the presentation to VoiceThread, sending us an email to let us know. Each of us then went into VoiceThread and recorded the audio for the presentation. 

My experiences using VoiceThread:  

     This was my very first experience using VoiceThread.  Late last week and earlier this week I reviewed the information that was posted in the course, created an account and later in the week made a practice VoiceThread to see how it actually works. I was very pleased that it was so easy to use and understand.  When it came time to record for the presentation, I was also very pleased to see that you could delete or save the audio you just created!  Made it easy if you had to do more than one take.

     I watched several of the VoiceThreads available on the website to get an idea of how people present.  I was not impressed with the amount of monotone speaking that occurred, or the ums and all that. There were also videos that were very informative and well designed.   I liked the Voicethreads that were made by people sharing pictures or things of a more personal nature that others had commented on. 
 
     I like the option to have comments be either typed, audio only or by video.  I think that makes it for people to use since they do not have to be on camera with the information they are sharing with students or in another type of presentation.

The use of VoiceThread in my presentation/professional life:

     As with so many of these tools, I can think of several ways that I will be using VoiceThread in my professional life.

1.     I currently teach Public Speaking online.  Instead of having the power points for the chapter posted, I will be recreating those with the use of VoiceThread. This will appeal to a wider audience as it will bring in those who learn best by hearing. 

2.    With one of the new ‘things’ being to flip the classroom, I can see recording my lectures- again with the use of PowerPoint, video and VoiceThread and posting to our LMS- BlackBoard.  Student will be able to hear the lecture as many times as needed, plus that will free up more class time to use as lab time.

3.    When I grade speeches, I can use this tool to provide feedback to student videos and/or outlines.  I believe it will make it much more personable.

4.    I will show this tool to other instructors in our Spring Professional Development program at my school.  Since the beginning of this class, I’ve been making a list of Web 2.0 tools that might interest my co-workers and that are not a hassle to use.  VoiceThread is much easier than Panopto which is what our school uses for recordings.

5.    I will try to introduce my College Success Skills course to this tool through one or more assignments.  Most likely, they would be using it to share their response to a discussion question. 

It's Mindomo Over Matter!!

It’s Mindomo Over Matter!

The name of the tool I chose to review this week is Mindomo, a tool I recently became familiar with by using the free version.  The URL for this tool is http://www.mindomo.com/  .  I consider this tool to be a critical thinking and productivity tool.

 Mindomo is an online Web 2.0 mind-mapping tool.  The program is available with the option of a free version or one for a monthly fee.  After reviewing several of the mind mapping tools from our options list and because I’m fairly new with most of these Web 2.0 programs, I eventually chose to review Mindomo.  I found that this tool was the easiest to use- providing the user with a simplistic and basic tool that still allowed users to be creative with the use of color and layout. As with a hand written mind map or one created with post-it notes, your map can be as simple or complex as the user chooses to create.

From the creation of the title/topic, it takes just a couple clicks to enter topics and subtopics.  The user is able to arrange these topic boxes in a variety of layouts or move with click and drag.  Within the boxes, a user can enter images, hyperlinks, notes and symbols to enhance to content on the map.  Several color themes are available to aid in creativity.  You can also create relationships between the boxes with the click of a button!

I found Mindomo to be easy to use. I know that there is so much more for me to learn about using this tool (technology is not my friend this week), but can see how it will be something I will definitely use in the future. 

Before using Mindomo, it’s good to have a basic understanding of the purpose and construction of a mind map.  You should have basic to intermediate computer skills. 

How do you use this tool? 

      1.       Go to Mindomo and create an account by clicking Sign up.

By entering your first and last name, email and password you can begin working with Mindomo!

2.       After creating an account, log into the program.

3.       This link will take you to a short  Screencast video explaining some of the basic instructions to using Mindomo.

                                          http://screencast.com/t/kCPGQMSLkSCw

4.        You can share your Mindomo map with others through email or you may print your map 

As an instructor, I could use Mindomo in the following ways:

1.      Mindomo can be used in my public speaking courses for a brainstorming activity.  For instance, when choosing topics for speeches I have students do an activity where in a small group they come up with 30 topics in 3 minutes.  After this list has been created they can choose one topic and then use this tool to develop what they will be speaking about.

Let’s say that a group chooses Michael Jackson.  There are many different ways a student might head on this topic: music, scandal, Thriller, early celebrity death, famous families, etc.  In preparing a speech, students must come up with three main points to talk about.  By creating a map with the Topic of MJ, subtopics and sub-subtopics students can brainstorm how they would break each idea down.  By doing so, the students would probably find that there was an area that they were the most interested in pursuing! With the numbering feature students could number their top choices 1-5 with 1 being the speech they most want to prepare and present for the class.  The mind mapping on Mindomo could be an assignment in itself to help students see how information relates (or doesn't relate).

In this same type of exercise- actually a precursor for the above example- students could complete the actual 30 topics in 3 minutes (although time might have to be extended) by using Mindomo.  The center topic would be ‘Topics’,  Subtopics would include “People”, “Places”, “Music”, “Sports”, “Current Events”, “Things”.  At this point, students would mind map their random topics under each heading. 

2.       Another idea for Mindomo is in the College Success Skills course that I teach.  In an exercise, students consider different careers they may be interested in. Mind mapping would allow the students to create a visual that might include education requirements, skills they already have, average salaries, advantages and disadvantages of each career. 

3.       As a teacher I can use Mindomo to show relation between different areas in speech preparation.  I think sometimes I forget that just because I see how it all fits together, some students don’t!  Mind mapping with Mindomo would create a great visual to tie the components of speech together.

4.       Mindomo can be used to take notes in class or as a template for students to fill in while listening to your lecture.

5.       Mindomo can be used as a group presentation brainstorming tool.  Instead of writing information on a piece of paper it can be recorded electronically and emailed to all groups participants immediately following the completion of the brainstorming session.

 

The advantages to using Mindomo are it is fairly easy to learn and use.  It has simple graphics and the maps are easy to create.  Mindomo allows the user to access a selection of images and symbols that can be incorporated in the map.

The disadvantages to using Mindomo are that the graphics and abilities of the program might be too simplistic for an advanced user and that lots of the ‘cool’ features such as imbedding your own pictures or videos are not available on the free version of the tool.

Bitstrips ~ Design Your Own Comic Strip!

Welcome to my Week 2 review!

The name of the tool I chose for review is Bitstrips, an online cartoon program. The URL for Bitstrips is www.bitstrips.com.  This tool is best described as a Web 2.0 creativity tool.

A cartoon I created this week for my Public Speaking class.

Steven was worried about what other students would think of him while he gave his speech.  Little did he know, they weren’t thinking about his speech at all!

_________________________

     Bitstrips describes itself as “a website where individuals can join a diverse and creative community to share and communicate using comics.”  This website provides the necessary tools to create an Avatar and other characters to use in comic strips that users make themselves. 

      For this review, I chose to NOT use the Education tools contained on the website.  For a monthly fee, the educational access allows teachers to create a private classroom with up to 40 students.  The Education tools are available for a 30 day trial.    See Michael Ahlf’s review for information about the Educational resources.  I chose to use the free tool which allows you to make your own cartoons as well as retrieve cartoons created by others. 

     Prior to discovering Bitstrips, I had never been on a website that creates comics.  I found the website to be fairly easy to navigate through.  I did become frustrated a couple of times trying to figure out how to get my characters to move how  I want them too.  I believe that with more practice, this tool will become part of my online and face to face course. 

    Before using Bitstrips, there are a few things you need.  First, you want to have basic to intermediate computer skills and a willingness to experiment with the tools to design and create the cartoon you want.  Next, you will need to have a computer and internet access, and finally you need to have an idea of what it is you want to create!  Do you want something humorous? Serious?  What is the point of the cartoon? After you have these few things, you are ready to get started with Bitstrips!  

 

To use Bitstrips follow these steps:

1.       Go to www.bitstrips.com

  2.  You may choose “Unlock the Educational Power of Comics” which is a 30 day trial.  For my review, I chose to click “Daily Funnies starring YOU!”

  3.     On the top right of this next page, click on

                                                      

       4.       This will take you to the page to create your account.  All that is required is a user name, password, age and then checking that you accept the terms of use and privacy policy.

 

5.       Next, on the left side you will click 

6. On the top right of this next page, click on  Avatar to create yourself- if that’s what you want to be in the comic or you can click on character to begin creating the people you want in your comic strip.  When you create an Avatar or a character, there are approximately 25 steps where you choose how you want the Avatar to look.  Here are some examples:

             a.       Choose Male or Female

             b.    You choose the Skin Tone you would prefer. Then Face Shape.

       

 

c.  Hair Color, length, hair type, hair style

d.   Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Eye shape, Pupil shape then Eye color.



e.      Nose, Mouth, Face details (freckles, wrinkles), then makeup (blush, eye shadow, blush)

f.        Height and body build



g.       Outfits- causal, formal or uniforms

h.      At this point you can fine tune your Avatar or character or you can be finished.  If you choose to fine tune, you can add accessories, change colors, etc.  If you choose to be finished, you can then name your character







    7.       Once you have your Avatar created, it’s time to start designing your cartoon.  From the top left side of the screen, click on either Comic or Scene.  

8.       If you choose Comic, it will look like this:

         9.        At this point, you can click on Layout and choose if you want your comic to be a single panel up to several panels for a series of comic ‘slides’.  Once you have chosen the layout you can begin to develop your scene.

10.       When you click scene, you choose the scene you would like from scenes already developed or you can create your own scene.

11.   To demonstrate, I chose an already developed scene- the beach scene. it looks like this

12.   From here you can see the various tools that are available including adding furniture  and props.

13.   Click back and forth between scene and characters to add people and text bubbles. 

14.   Characters can be moved within the scene using clicks and arrows to rotate their bodies and heads, create facial expressions, etc.

15.   When you have the comic you want, click SAVE in the lower right corner.  This will give you a URL for your comic.  You can retrieve your comic by logging back into the website, going to the URL, posting it on social media or save it to your computer.

Wallwisher: Web 2.0 Communication Tool

     The name of the Web 2.0 Communication tool I chose to review is Wallwisher. The URL for this tool is www.wallwisher.com .  Although this tool can be used in a variety of ways, I would say that overall it is best used as a communication tool.

     Wallwisher is simple Web 2.0 tool. The concept of Wallwisher is that of a bulletin board where you, and others with your specific URL, can post sticky notes. The sticky notes are individual posts of up to 160 characters plus the ability to share video files, audio files and images easily.   Wallwisher does not require a computer download so it is easy  to use from school computer labs or home computers alike. Wallwisher is simple enough to be used by children and by others that may have limited computer experience.   

     Before using this tool, you need to have an internet connection, an updated Internet browser, an established email address, and content that you want to post.  This content can be in the form of a question or assignment for students, a question for family, friends, etc or it can be used as a personal organizational tool.  This tool is simplistic in nature so it is not necessary to have any specialized knowledge to be successful.

To use this tool, follow these directions:

1.    Go to www.wallwisher.com

2.    Click on “Build a Wall” 

3.   Middle left of the screen sticky note entitled “You are…”, enter your name as you want it to appear on your posts and then enter your email address.

4.    Add the name of your wall for a unique URL on the “Preferences” sticky note.

5.    Choose either Everyone or Only Me under “Who can view” and “Who can post” on the “Preferences” sticky note.

6.    Also on “Preferences” you can choose to approve all posts before they show up on the wall.

7.    “Choose a Theme” sticky note allows you to choose the color theme you want for the Wall.

8.    Upper left corner under “Click here to select image” you will be given a choice of avatars or you may upload a photo of your own.

9.    Next, click to edit the title and then the subtitle.  This is where your question, theme, directions, etc can be posted. 

10. Finally, click on “Done” in the lower right corner and your page will be developed. Be sure that you remember/write down the URL so that you can give it to your students or others that you want to post to the Wall.

To post on the Wall, follow these directions.

1.    Type the URL into the browser.

2.    When the page comes up, double click on the wall, enter your name or you may leave it anonymous (be specific with students about your expectations).

3.    Your Sticky Note may be up to 160 characters.  You may also upload video or images from the Internet.

4.    Click OK for the note to post.

5.    The sticky notes may be moved anywhere on the board.

You may use the link below to visit the wall that I created for this class.  Please feel free to practice making posts to the Wall!

http://wallwisher.com/wall/UHexampleMDavis

     As a teacher, the uses for Wallwisher are only limited by your creativity. As a Public Speaking Instructor I brainstormed a number of ways that I can use Wallwisher in my online Public Speaking course. I think you will find that you could use any variation of these in most courses.  This will require me to make a number of walls unique to the course but open to all sections. This will not be difficult, but may be time consuming upfront.

 Some ways I might use Wallwisher are as follows:

1.    Introduction board- students post basic information: major, hometown, occupation, etc.

2.    Posting of calendar made up of 30/31 sticky notes.  Assignments can be posted on the dates assignments are due.

3.    Study guide questions from lecture/text posted.

4.    A wall can be created for general questions that the instructor would then answer. This can prevent the duplication of emails and responses to/from the instructor. 

5.    The instructor can post a scrambled outline that students would correct by moving the sticky notes to the correct order.  This would be done as a classroom project.

6.    Wall for chapter questions.  In the example below, I posted the direction “After reading Chapter Two, please list your top three fears of public speaking”. The goal of this is so students see that they are not alone in their fears and that many people share the same fears. As the instructor, I can also address comments that do not answer the question or I can choose to preview posts before allowing them to post. 

 The link to this page is     www.wallwisher.com/wall/SPCH1315GreatestFear

7.    Students can post speech topics to the wall.  This will prevent duplication of topics and allow students to see what others are doing.  This may help them brainstorm topics for themselves.

8.    Students can submit their video links to the wall.  This would provide an easy forum for students to view others’ speeches.

9.    Students can have a Fan page to encourage each other and to provide positive responses to speeches.

As you can see, the list really could be endless!

      As a teacher, the advantages of using Wallwisher are 1.It is very simple. In reviewing websites about this tool, I found several pages from elementary teachers using Wallwisher with students as young as 1^st grade and also pages from college instructors using the tool for their classes. 2. It is appealing without being too distracting. 3. The information is limited to 160 characters, teaching students to be succinct with their thinking/writing. 4. Students can post sticky notes without having to put their identities on the web. 5.  May be useful for visual learners.

     As a teacher, the disadvantages of using this tool are 1.  It is a public tool so anyone can post to your wall unless you choose to preview all posts. 2. Some students might see it as too simplistic in nature. 3. The wall will might get cluttered and distracting once several posts are made. If the information is something that needs to be studied, this may be overwhelming for students especially if they are not visual learners.

Hello and Welcome to my new Blog for CUIN 7356-7376. 

My name is Michelle Davis. I am an instructor at Lamar Institute of Technology- teaching Public Speaking and our College Success Skills Course.  I currently teach Public Speaking both face to face and online.  I have also taught a course in Family Communication online when I was an instructor at Lamar University. 

I look forward to learning about the tools of Web 2.0, reading your reviews and reading constructive comments regarding my posts!