Voice Threads in the social studies classroom

I've used voice threads in my language arts class, but how did it work in other classes, and how was it better once we actually paid the $1/child for their own account?

This is an example from Mele's Hawaiian studies class. The students were doing research on Princess Pauahi and what she did for her people, then they drew a picture for their slide and wrote a script.

Positives: the students were able to continue recording until they were satisfied. They took to the technology quickly. They were able to get comments from their parents, so there was a connection between school and home.

Things we still need to work on: I continue to say this, and I'm going to say this again: technology is just a tool. Good literacy instruction is the foundation for all projects, so teachers need to check the writing first. I think Mele had to go back after some were recorded because their information was wrong. We're working on fixing that - check everything first. Second, the students needed to take more time for their artwork. Can you tell they're 6th graders. I think it has to do with how much time to give them. Maybe bring the art teacher into it. Last, technical support takes up a lot of time, despite paying. Our laptops run slow on wireless after lunch, and so it doesn't record right away.

Next project: demonstration math problems for algebra and pre-algebra. Hopefully, I'll up my learning.

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