“One of the best free tools available to teachers and students who are learning with the world rather than about the world…” Teacher Bill Ferriter from Digitally Speaking discussing Voicethread.

Multimedia sharing sites—what are they? Here’s where I began my quest this week and here’s what I discovered. They’re online services that enable storage and sharing of images, documents, videos and podcasts. Members, those who have created an account, can actively contribute to the content on these sites and share with other collaborators.

Voicethread is one such media hosting site that also allows people to interact with the content by making comments with voice, using a mic or phone, as well as with text, audio file or video. “A Voicethread allows group conversations to be collected and shared in one place, from anywhere in the world.” Pretty amazing!!


There are many incredible potentials and benefits to using this site for educational purposes. One of the highlights, as Joyce Valenza points out is “…its teeny-tiny learning curve”. Really important for myself, and many others, who are taking first steps in using these tools in the classroom. Also, Voicethread’s ease of use and creation makes it an easier “sell” to other teachers and administrators. Teacher Bill Ferriter, who is a huge advocate and user of Voicethread in education, wrote this on his blog:

“What I like the best about Voicethread is that it allows teachers to seamlessly integrate digital collaboration into the curriculum. Because the skills necessary to use Voicethread are minimal, there is almost no tech-barrier to overcome by teachers or students---and because the tool is simple by nature, the focus of any digital effort remains on the content rather than the technology.”

This comment really rang true for me as I’ve often felt with some of the other
tools that I’ve been challenged by the technology and haven't really focused on their use. Part of Voicethread’s ease of use comes from the availability of their online tutorials
that makes learning the features easy and straightforward.


Another great feature of Voicethread is the creation of Ed.voicethread “…a web-based communications network for K-12 students and educators. Simple, powerful and safe, Ed.VoiceThread is a place for creating and collaborating on digital stories and documentaries, practicing and documenting language skills, exploring geography and culture, solving math problems, or simply finding and honing student voices.”
For a minimal cost ($60/year/class), Ed.voicethread increases safety (all users are from the school) and accountability (teachers can control and moderate comments).

How is this tool being used in classrooms and libraries?

There are many inspiring examples out there!

I found a wonderful, comprehensive collection of Voicethread examples created by students and teachers on a wiki set up by Collette Cassinelli, a high school teacher from Oregon.
What’s great about this space is that it’s organized by grade level and by teachers, who are continually contributing their creative uses of Voicethread. Also, included on the home page is an actual Voicethread to comment on how you are using Voicethread in the classroom.

Organized, current and collaborative--Web 2.0 in action!

Some examples from here include using Voicethread:

As a social studies project:
Interpreting the Past
--A grade 2 project teaching historical thinking by examining past and present photographs.

Welcome to our World
--A voicethread created by Bill Ferriter encouraging comments about differences in communities. Included here are teacher directions and student handouts.

For digital book reports:
Great book Stories
--A place for students to share a favourite book and receive feedback.

For digital storytelling:
Stories of Seventh Grade Life

--Student created stories about their memories of Elementary school.

For math:
K-7 Mathcasts 500 Project
-- “Goal: Create a library of 500+ mathcasts for K-7 math using many student & educators voices.”

For Libraries:
Book Promotions
--Teachers and librarians sharing favourite books

For professional development:
Wondering About Web 2.0
--Created for a conference, teachers can leave comments about various web 2.0 quotes and start thinking about issues for an upcoming meeting

The list could, and really does, go on and on!!

Again from Bill Ferriter, an excellent reminder: “Winding students up and letting them go without any kind of introduction to the features of Voicethread that can be used to protect against inappropriate content or poor conversation quality is an irresponsible act on the part of classroom teachers.” In response to this, he’s created (available for downloading on his wiki) handouts for students to help them reflect on the responsibilities of creating and monitoring a Voicethread, as well as lessons on how to comment effectively and thoughtfully. These can also be used for assessment purposes.


I see many great implications for teaching and learning with Voicethread. Not only is it a significant way of archiving student achievement, but it’s fun and highly motivating as well. It creates meaningful learning and provides an authentic audience, which is extremely inspiring for students. Globally interacting with others, especially about something that you’ve created, how cool is that?? It’s also empowering to have a voice in cyberspace and to be recognized for your thoughts and ideas. As a shy, quiet student, I can see wanting to participate more actively in a digital discussion than in a classroom environment. Students have more time to think about responses and to reflect on their implications. As Ferriter points out, “You don’t have to be the loud one or the popular one…” to feel comfortable about contributing. Also, in the process of considering comments from other students around the globe, students can become aware of different ideas, perspectives and beliefs-- greatly contributing to the goal of a tolerant, accepting society.

For myself personally, I see using Voicethreads for communicating and collaborating with friends and family about recent trips, school events, sports activities, dance recitals, and just about anything! With all of our family being out of town, it’s a great way to come together and chat about events, aided by visual reminders, or share occasions with those who couldn’t be there. Professionally, I think Voicethread is one of the best tools we’ve looked at so far. Fun, motivating, creative and easy to use are good indicators of success when it comes to educational implements and Voicethread really has it all. I’m looking forward to playing around with it some more, a first attempt is previously posted!