VoiceThread: a Student-paced Multimedia Tool for English Speaking and Listening Development

(Source: Google search)

Nobody is born to be a confident and competent communicator. Notwithstanding,💡 VoiceThread💡 is certainly a desirable multimedia tool providing multisensory environment for learners to develop English skills (especially speaking and listening) and master 4Cs (i.e., Creativity, Critical thinking, Communication and Collaboration). If you want to know more about its pedagogic value in an ESL/EFL classroom, a myriad of research studies can be found here.

How VoiceThread works?

(Source: YouTube )

Friendly reminder: Press FULL SCREEN before watching the clip 😉

Similar to blogs, VoiceThread is an innovative multimedia online tool which enables students to practice speaking and listening skills with ongoing and dynamic interaction functions. For example, recording comments with a microphone or mobile phone, videotaping, listening to audio files, leaving text comments, navigating presentation slides as well as sharing images, annotations and documents (Figure 1).

(Figure 1 - VoiceThread Commenting Features)

Interesting Pedagogical Facts / Positive Comments of VoiceThread

1.     Asynchronous learning promotes competent second language (L2) learners   

  

Given one of the learning aims is to boost students’ confidence in using English genuinely or reduce their long-term language anxiety, VoiceThread provides a platform for your class to practice speaking and listening skills at their own time, place and pace outside the classroom. 

Individually, they can always re-record or self-correct their responses BEFORE delivering to peers and teachers. 

Collaboratively, students are given adequate thought time to brainstorm ideas, negotiate meaning and respond to each other’s comment.

2.     Greater sense of motivation and responsibility in L2 learning

A recent research study (Pancansky-Brock, 2010) reveals 80% of students ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ that VoiceThread contributes to creating a greater sense of class community. As mentioned earlier, they constantly give oral and written feedback in the peer discussion. Perceivably, this learning process enables them to develop interpersonal relationship and a sense of responsibility for both individual and peer responses. Despite having student-driven or student-centred discussion, your role is to monitor, assess and support their ongoing learning.

3.     Time-saving

In Hong Kong, primary school students normally have 8 English lessons per week and each lesson is 35 minutes. Yet, most teachers have a tight teaching schedule which we are required to teach one unit within two weeks (including four skills, grammar, vocabulary, dictation, quizzes and assignments).

In teachers’ perspective, the aforementioned VoiceThread functions (see above ‘How VoiceThread works?’) enable teachers to give further instructions, detailed explanation or feedback on a particular English aspect based on students’ actual learning needs and interests.

In students’ perspective, they can be more familiar with the learning materials in advance, raising any queries with one of those commenting functions and referring to the contents at any time.

4.     Innovative L2 learning

In order to optimize the use of VoiceThread in L2 teaching and learning, its website offers FREE WORKSHOPS covering a wide variety of topics, such as language instruction, assessment, game-based learning, storytelling and so forth. More information can be found here.

Moreover, here is another link about ‘26 Interesting Ways to Use VoiceThread in the Classroom’. Enjoy!

Limitations

1.     Network requirement

Since students may have asymmetric network connection at home, simultaneous commentary recording can strain the local bandwidth resources.

Moreover, some low socio-economic families may not have computers, iPads or other devices at home. In this case, you may (i) occasionally give students 10-15 minutes responding the comments before the lesson ends or (ii) implement 1-2 lesson(s) especially for practicing speaking and listening skills with VoiceThread or (iii) book a computer room for students to use VoiceThread during recess time or after school.

  

2.     User account

a.     Unfortunately, the free VoiceThread only enables the whole class to login and comment on each other’s work with a single account (i.e., Teacher’s account). This implies that you may need to bear risks of students changing or deleting others’ work unconsciously and accidentally. In this case, you can give students a brief workshop and introduce the use of VoiceThread features.

b.     The free account only offers you 5 free VoiceThread. Meanwhile, embedded features such as 50 student account threaded commenting, file security and so on are not included. In addition to 2a, you may consider purchasing a monthly or annual K-12 License (Figure 2).

(Figure 2 - K-12 License V.S. Free Account)

3.     Commenting guidelines

VoiceThread enables students to discuss the topics freely and authentically. Yet, students in primary context may find it difficulty in understanding or realizing the proper ways of commenting. Perhaps you can give guidelines suggesting a time frame, language use, tone of language (e.g., register) and visuals of using the commenting features.

4.     Research samples

Indeed, many research have sought to determine that VoiceThread is an ideal tool for educational contexts. However, it seems that most sample size were quite small and not primary English context in particular. Perhaps it is high time for you to do action research for your unique class!

HEY! I hope YOU have gained some inspiration after BLOGGING my third post!

💭  What are your instant thoughts and feelings towards 💡 VoiceThread💡 ? 

Please feel free to 💬 / ✍  / 📧  below!

More updates will be available next week! Have an insightful Friday to all ELT teachers! 😄

Reference

Pacansky-Brock, M.  (2010).  VoiceThread: Enhanced Community, Increased Social Presence and Improved Visual Learning.  The Sloan Consortium.  Retrieved from