Emerging+Trends+Voicethread+-+Web+2.0+Project

= **LinkedIn.com Voicethread** =



__**Description**__ Using Voicethread.com students were required to design a professional presentation that could be used to present an emerging technology of their choice from a list of options provided by the instructor. The student needed to demonstrate their understanding of the chosen technology (in my case, LinkedIn) by describing the technology, its history, purpose and uses, thereby providing the viewer of the presentation with a clear picture of the uses and benefits of the new technology. In order to develop the presentation the student conducted research on their technology of choice. Once all necessary data had been collected the student signed up for a Voicethread account. Upon doing so the student designed a PowerPoint with much of the data and information needed and uploaded this to the student's Voicethread account. Next the student then added a variety of media including the student's voice (hence the reason the site is called Voicethread) in order to narrate and provide instruction throughout the presentation. In addition to the student's voice, the student was able to add a variety of media to the Voicethread in order to help encourage interest and understanding of the presentation. Options for media included the use of graphics (related images, icons, photos, or virtual screenprints of the website being discussed), video, and .pdf files. Once the student felt that their instructional presentation was ready for viewing the student saved the final version and uploaded a link to the instructor's PBWiki page. Upon completion of this task students were then able to click on and view their fellow classmates' completed Voicethreads with the option of leaving voice or text comments.



__**Process**__ This particular project was very involved. I began by researching LinkedIn. I had chosen LinkedIn.com because I had heard of it many times but I had never used it nor did I have any idea what it was for. Upon completion of my research, I proceeded I wrote up notes of all the information that I felt was important in understanding LinkedIn. I used these notes to design a PowerPoint which I was then ready to upload to Voicethread.com. Before I could do so, I did have to sign up for Voicethread.com but it was a relatively painless (free) and quick process. After uploading my Voicethread, I developed a script for my Voicethread. I then began the process of adding audio in the form of voice comments to my Voicethread. This took a while and quite a bit of trial and error to come out with the desired result. I believe this had to more to do with the audio capabilities of my computer rather than the website itself. I did have to delete the entire PowerPoint, develop a new one, and rearrage the slides as I decided I did not like the current order of my script or slides. This again was more due to with me than Voicethread. I just happen to be very particular about things. After adding voice and text comments to all of my slides I also added a transcript of my Voicethread in case the viewer wanted a visual or would prefer to read over the text than to view the presentation as a reference and completed my Voicethread. I then watched it twice to make sure I felt everything was in order. I made a few adjustments to the last few slides, saved, and promptly added my link to our class PBWiki.

Please feel free to view my link by clicking --> @here.

__**Reflection**__ I found the activity to be quite useful. Voicethreads definitely incorporate all that Web 2.0 has to offers. Voicethreads offer the presenter to use audio, video, and allows the user and the presenter to interact via comments and web postings. I think this would be a great website to use in the event of presenting a group project or even to provide to an instructor for feedback prior to turning in an assignment for grading. I also think this would be a wonderful website for me to have my students use to present projects. This would enable me the option to leave them comments prior to (with the possibility of allowing them time to make adjustments) or after grading. I think it is an extreme plus to have the ability to leave comments however I would not be in favor of allowing just anyone to leave comments. I think too many comments could distract from the writer's intended message. At this time I am unsure if I would use Voicethread in my classroom but I will definitely use this in future college courses for the purpose of collaboration on group assignments. As far as my experience with the content itself, referring to the Web 2.0 emerging trend LinkedIn that I researched. I found that LinkedIn could be a very useful tool. I found that it is a social networking tool that has many uses. It can be used by individuals to find jobs, network or socialize. Businesses on the other hand can use this exact same networking site to network with other businesses, find employees, and locate new business contacts for financing, business, and networking all with just a few clicks of the mouse (LinkedIn 2010). Considering I am extremely turned off by social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace (primarily because they are targeted teenagers), it was refreshing to find that there is a site geared towards adults and professionals. I'm not sure that I'll be using LinkedIn in the near future but I am confident that my presentation not only explained the uses and purpose of LinkedIn but it also gave the viewer a clear mini-tutorial of how to set up and use __LinkedIn.__

__**References**__

// **Linkedin** // **. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.linkedin.com/**

// **Linked in logo. (2010). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.umich.edu/~umnrotc/linkedin.jpghttp:** //**www.umich.edu/~umnrotc/linkedin.jpg

Voicethread**// **. (2010). Retrieved from http://voicethread.com/#home**

__**Links**__
 * PBWiki: @http://edt6020wilmuedtech2.pbworks.com/EDT-6020-Hybrid-Course-Chart-%28DOVER%29
 * My Wikispace: http://kathleenmihokwilmu.wikispaces.com/
 * Voicethread.com: @http://voicethread.com/
 * My Voicethread: @http://voicethread.com/
 * Linkedin.com: @http://www.linkedin.com/