We all like tales and stories - not only kids do. All the evidence shows that storytelling and tales slowly disappeared from classroom lessons, due to a misbelief that stories and pictures do not fit into scientific thinking as they displace the crystal-clear logical train of thought.
The VoiceThread storyteller gives us the technical possibility to insert media elements (text, sound, image, video) into a presentation, a chronology (timeline) easily and quickly. The comic-style story can be shared with students, embedded in other applications and, as the story can be commented on by students in writing and orally (webcam, microphone), it can be collaborative.
After registration we can start creating our own content by clicking on Create, where we can upload documents, images, audio, video and more.
- can be integrated with Canvas
- both verbal and written comments are possible
- it is easier to explain something "in person"
- different points of view can be confronted
- makes online communication and education more personal
- there is a configuration where students do not to see each other's comments
- some students feel less comfortable speaking on video
- students may find the interface difficult to navigate at first
The teacher can upload and share documents, presentations, images, audio or video files with students. Both the teacher and the students can comment on the posted material.
Some ideas for using the tool:
- Publish something you want to receive feedback on (e.g. student's work - drawing, writing, etc.).
- Discuss a topic, a reading or an image.
- Raise a topic and brainstorm ideas.
English Grammar: Simple Past
An example with the comments of the particiapnts of an e-learning course
Navigation
- Play: the icon in the bottom left corner automatically plays the story.
- Scroll: with the icon in the bottom right corner you can scroll back and forth.
- Close: use the cross in the top right to exit the story and continue browsing stories shared by others.
- Add a comment: moving your cursor to the bottom bar of the presentation, in the middle, a "+" sign will appear, you can click on it to add a comment to the story appears
Timeline
Timeline
A timeline can be used for any topic where the order of events, the chronological order matters. We can use it when teaching history, but also when presenting a process or a succession of events.
For example, you can display historical events of a particular period with dates and inert notes to them with the most important facts.
It is not only for teachers - students can also create a timeline collaboratively when they recap on a topic.
In timeline creator apps you can use a variety of templates to make your own stunning and meaningful infographics in no time.
Online communication
Online communication
The tools listed below facilitate communication during online teaching. Their main features include voice and video calling, messaging, screen sharing and file sharing.
Presentation
Presentation
Using one of the tools below instead of the usual - and let's face it, often boring - PowerPoint presentation will surely result in success.
Being short of time, you can turn a previously prepared ppt into a video in just a few steps. Choose Save As, then save the presentation as .mp4 and you're done.
Story telling
Storytelling
Personal stories are a very effective way of introducing a topic as they engage students.
The following apps can be used to add various media elements to stories and then share them with students, or even ask them individually or in groups to tell stories, either related to a personal experience or a subject.
