John's+TT+III


 * Digital Storytelling - Voice Thread **


 * Subject Area ** - Language Arts
 * Grade Level ** - 12 Grade

I will initiate a discussion on storytelling and oral histories, drawing on student's prior knowledge of stories and what they tell us, to prepare the students for introduction to the digital tool Voice Thread. Students will receive instruction on how to use the online program at VoiceThread.com, as a storytelling tool. The will be informed that this is to be employed to develop a segment of, or as the end product for, their final presentation for our PBL project on the Gulf/BP oil leak.
 * Brief Description of Lesson **:

The students will know how to access, sign on to, create and modify a voice thread product, incorporating images, digital video clips, and text. The students will also know how to employ the five various methods for commenting on a voice thread, and how to invite others to view and comment on their voice thread. The students will recognize and demonstrate how a voice thread can relate a story to an audience.
 * Expected Learning Outcomes **:

1. Using an LCD projector I will present an overview and guided tour of the Voice thread website to the students, and they will view tutorial. 2. · I will demonstrate how to create a voice thread using some of the additional features and tools. Here is a sample voice thread: [] · I will also demonstrate how to comment on a voice thread in multiple ways. · I will demonstrate how to share their voice thread and allow others to comment on it.
 * Steps of the Lesson: **

3. The students will sign on to the Voicethread.com web site and comment on the sample voice thread that I established. 4. The group will establish a voice thread to keep notes, and gather information, and prepare a story for their presentation. 5. The students will be directed to use VoiceThread as a tool that can be further developed to become an element of, or the end product for, their PBL project presentation.

Each student will be instructed to access their group's Voice Thread as they develop their story, and update their project at least twice each week. In addition they will be required to leave a comment on its progress, or on what they are doing to complete the voice thread. They will exchange ideas, and share their findings with the other members of their group, and collaborate on developing their final product.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Students use of online collaboration tools: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Each PBL group will have assigned a mentor, a teacher or teacher assistant, to offer support for all members in the group. Students with advanced cognitive abilities and higher order thinking skills, will be given greater autonomy to explore adding various media and technology elements to their groups Voice Thread product. Mentors will provide more concentrated guidance to students with special needs, by showing the students how to employ the Voice Thread resources. They will provided as needed, hand over hand guidance, for using digital tools such as voice recording, commenting tools, text and image integration.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Customization for Diverse Learners: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Each group member will be required to add an image, voice message, a text statement, or other media element to the initial voice thread. These initial offerings become the building blocks for the final voice thread story, but may subsequently be modified for developing a voice thread that presents a solution to the PBL project. Group members will be able to comment on, and suggest modifications and additions to the project, as they find important material during their PBL project research.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Incorporating Creative Thinking Component: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Students will be initially assessed on participation in the voice thread, and the creativity of the elements of their initial contribution. There after students input to the voice thread, their commenting on their group's work, and the development of the story or final group product will be assessed.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Assessing Student Learning: **

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The students will each be assigned to a computer in the classroom. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Initially 2 full class periods will be dedicated to the introduction to the use of the Voice Thread, and to enable students to create their initial contribution to the voice thread and to allow the groups to begin collaboration. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In subsequent class periods, 30 minutes will be allotted for students to work on their voice threads.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Manage Activities in the Classroom: **