Asynchronous Tools

I responded to Sara Gorlewski’s blog entitled “The asynchronous tool that I explored” at http://gorlewski.blogspot.com/2008/10/asynchronous-tool-that-i-explored.html.

Sara, I like your Voice Threads blog and how you applied it to your class by adding photos from your last trip to Spain with a topic for each picture. As a Spanish teacher, you have found a way to integrate Voice Threads into your class by using videos and photos to teach culture. I like your idea of using your own experiences as spring boards for your students to compare and contrast how they see the same picture online and how you sensed the site in person. Would it be possible to do a survey of how many students shared the same responses to the same pictures as compared to opposite responses to the same pictures to see how the lived experience compares with the web experience? It is possible that the lived experience has more positive engagements than the web experience.

However, the ability to reflect on pictures after viewing them the first time may give learners a different perspective when the mind has an interval to compare different angles and different research that may show levels of understanding and language development that is more developed and on target. I like the idea of helping students develop speaking skills by encouraging them to post a speaking vignette on Voice Threads to explain the picture. This gives an interactive response that is engaging and collaborative at the same time. It also builds student self-confidence in speaking Spanish more fluently.

I have just had my first experience creating a Voice Threads assignment for class. I enjoyed the learning experience. I am still learning and hope to understand several more features.