This week we were assigned to get to know and use
Voicethread. All of the class members were randomly allocated into small
groups, and each of the groups we assigned with answering key questions through
PowerPoint presentations. Then, the presentations must be uploaded to Voicethread;
and each of the group members had to give comments to the slides that they created.
I was tasked as one of the group leaders. My team members
were Christopher Burnett, Harold Walton, and Donald Lesslie. The question that
we had to answer was:
What theoretical frameworks or perspectives influence
distance education?
The Process
I contacted my group members through emails to coordinate our
plan for the assignment. We all agreed that we didn’t need to have
synchronous/live meeting, and email and Google slides were enough to get
the assignment done. However, we were not sure about how to share our
responsibilities. We decided to search for resources to help us answer the
question posed to us. I found an article written by Arinto (2013) that
addressed the problem.
In the article, the writer described three frameworks. “Three,
just what we need!” That’s what I thought when I reviewed the article. I would
be in charge of the template and design of the presentation, and getting it
ready for Voicethread; while my team members can each address each of the
frameworks. When I suggested the article and my idea to the group members, all
agreed.
Currently, our group presentation is already uploaded to
Voicethread, and we are almost done with the “adding comments” part. The article can be accessed here: https://voicethread.com/share/5874710/
Interestingly, we already received comments from other
enthusiastic group members even before we’ve finished adding our comments. We
are so excited by the responses.
My Experience and What I Think About Using Voicethread
Using Voicethread was very easy. The 1-2-3 steps
made the whole process become so simple. I enjoyed the variety of the options
for giving comments, and its share function,
However, Voicethread editing tool is only limited to
rearranging the order of the slide. If only it has more content editing tools
and allows live editing, like those of Google Slides, I’d really love using it
as my collaboration and presentation tool. Also, if Voicethread changes their interface
into a more sociable design, just like social media tools (e.g. Facebook page),
it will have a better reception. Frankly, currently I am not sure if it will be my tool of choice for any of
my future presentations.
Tool
description: Bubbl is a
web-based tool that can be used to create mind maps. A mind map is a
visualization of an idea or information in the form of a diagram. Personally, I
think the easiest way to create a mind map is by drawing it on a paper or
whiteboard. However, there might be challenges when we need to save and share the
hand-drawn diagram. That’s when a web 2.0 tool like Bubbl can be very useful.
Bubbl is a web 2.0 tool that can be used to create mind maps. It can be
accessed freely, although some of the features are limited to premium users
only.
Bubbl users can
create mind maps in the form of interconnected bubbles. Users can manage the
size or color of the bubbles and font of the diagram. Users can also attach
file (image) into their map and work collaboratively with their friends or
colleagues in creating a mind map (these feature are only available for premium
users).
Mind maps
created using Bubbl can be saved in the form of image or webpage outline.
Interestingly, it allows the users to choose the image format they want to use,
JPG or PNG. Images saved in PNG format will have transparent background; a
format that we can easily embed into another images or presentations (e.g.
power point presentation).
Did you need
to download or install any additional components or resources to use the Web
2.0 tool you are reviewing? No
What do you
need to know before using this tool? (What skills do you need to have?) There’s no specific skill required
What do you
need to have before using this tool? No
tool is required to use Bubbl.You’ll
only need to sign up for an account if you want to save or export the map that you’ve created.
How do you
use this tool? Please watch my tutorial
video below for instruction about how to use Bubbl.
Here's how I might use this tool in a teaching environment:
During their
study time in medical school, medical students received enormous amount of
information. All of the information, if taken passively, might be easily forgotten
over time, and students might face difficulties when preparing for the Steps (USMLE) later. To promote students’ active involvement during the learning
process, many teaching methods have been implemented in medical schools, such
as problem-based learning and case-based learning; and it is a common knowledge
that the combination of several teaching methods provide better outcome than a
single teaching method.
I think mind
mapping can also be used to promote students’ active participation in teaching difficult
medical subjects. If students are instructed to create mind maps at the end of
every lecture, they will feel encouraged to try to understand the lecture they’ve
just attended. Using the topic discussed in the lecture as the center of their mind
map, they can begin identifying the main branches of their map from the
information they’ve just learned; as they read more from various sources, they
will add the sub-branches related to the topic. At the end of their
self-learning session, they should have a well-developed mind map. They can
present and discuss what they’ve learned and understood about the topic with
their colleagues in small groups. At the end of the process, students should
have a better retention over the topics they’ve learned.
The advantages and disadvantages of using this tool in a formal or informal
teaching environment?
Advantages:
Free and Very easy to use
The mind map can be saved for future editing
The mind map can be exported into various formats (JPG, PNG,
webpage outline)
Disadvantages:
Attaching image feature (which is very important in mind) is
only available for premium users
Only one font available
Only one bubble shape available
Would you
recommend this Web 2.0 tool to others, or suggest that they explore a different
tool? Absolutely
"We made the buttons on the screen look so good you'll want to lick them."
- Steve Job -
The Web 2.0 Tool that will be reviewed this week is WeVideo. Here is the link to access the tool: http://www.wevideo.com/
I think the primary category for this tool is Creativity. However, if used well, it can also be a presentation tool.
Please check my screen-cast below for the description of this tool:
Note: The screen-cast was created with Screen-O-Matic, and edited with Adobe Premiere Element 12.
As mentioned in the video, you don't need to download and install any program or plug-in for the tool to work properly.
What do you need to know before using this tool?Although the tool is easy to use, having an experience using other video editing tools can be very helpful.
What do you need to have before using this tool?
It is a video editing tool that allows you to record and insert your voice-over to the video you are creating. Having a microphone will help you create a quality audio, and, in turn, quality video too. Also, since it is an online-based video-editing tool, a good internet connection is necessary for fast video rendering.
Here are the steps to use this tool:
Step 1. Sign-up
Step 2. Select your plan.Currently, WeVideo offers six different plans with various pricings, ranging from free to more than $399/month
Step 3. Type in your information.
You can also register with your Facebook account, Google account, or Yahoo account.
After signing up, you'll reach your WeVideo Hub.
Step 4. Create a project.
Recently, WeVideo have added a video that gives a very useful information about the features that you will find in the Hub.
Here's how the Hub looks like:
Step 5. Click "create new video" to begin creating your video, and you'll reach your WeVideo Project Editor.Please note that the image showed here is for the advanced editing mode.
Step 6. Upload your media.
To upload your media, click on the "upload" button on the project editor.
Wevideo allows you to upload your media, either from your computer or cloud storage. You can monitor the uploading progress from the right column.
Step 7. Insert the title of your video .
After you've uploaded the media that you want to use for your video, you can begin working on the video. The first thing that you should do is insert the title of the video. You can do it by clicking on the "text"icon, then drag and drop "TEXT" to the timeline. There are two ways to activate the edit fuction (this also apply to editing other media):
Double click on the media, or
Click on the media , then click the pencil icon.
Then, type the title that you want to use for your video.
Step 8. Drag and drop your media (images, music, video) into the timeline.
Step 9. Edit and Trim your media. The steps to activate the edit function have been mentioned on step 7. To trim the length of the media that you want to use:
Select the scissor icon: Move the green slider to a certain part of the media, then click on the scissor icon, or
Click and Drag: Move your cursor to the edge of the media that you want to trim, then click and drag to trim it.
Step 9. Select your theme.
After you're satisfied with the length and the position of your media, it's time to do the final touch. Select the theme that you want to apply to your video. To do it, simply click on "theme" and select a theme that you'd like to apply to your video. Wevideo allows you to preview the themes, so that you can feel how it will look like when a particular theme is applied to your video. If you're satisfied with a particular theme, click "use this theme".
Step 10. Give a title to the video project. You can do it by clicking the "Untitled video" text on the upper right corner of the project editor, then this screen will appear.
How this tool can be used in a teaching environment?
There are many ways that WeVideo can be used in a teaching environment.
In my country, one of the main concerns of fresh
graduates from medical schools is their ability to communicate with their
patients. Many patients complained that their doctors’ tend to rush when
explaining about their medical conditions. Even worse, the doctors used jargons
that were strange to their ears. This condition not only will lower patients’
satisfaction, but also compliance to their treatments.
Video assignment can be one of the solutions
for the communication problem. The students (medical students or interns) are
instructed to create short videos that are intended to explain about some
difficult topics to their patients. The main purpose of the assignment is to
help students see the topics from a different perspective, identify the steps
to explain the topic, and practice explaining in plain language. At the end of
the assignment, students should be able to understand about the topics better,
and to creatively explain difficult topics to their patients in a plain language
as well. Plus, they will have videos that can be used in their future practice. WeVideo can be used in the video assignment process.
The advantages and disadvantages of using this tool in teaching environment
Advantages:
Affordable price. It even offer a free plan, although with limitations
Can be connected to various cloud storage to retrieve media (images, music, and videos)
Provide all-in-one package tool for editing video
Supports PC, Mac, ipad, iphone, and android phones
Rendering speed doesn't depend on computer's ROM
Published videos can be shared directly to social media sites (premium feature)
Students in a group can share their media with their colleagues and instructors through Wevideo (premium feature)
Students can work collaboratively on a video project (premium feature)
Disadvantages: Requires high-speed internet connection to be used effectively
My recommendation: I highly recommend this tool to those who'd want to learn to create their own videos.
I think this tool can be
categorized as a communication tool. However, it can also be used a
collaboration tool.
Tool
description:
Schoology is a web 2.0
tool that allows instructors to create academic materials, manage the content,
and share the materials with the students through a unique discussion forum.
Not only that, the instructors can also communicate with the other instructors
through a secure forum. So, it is a cloud-based learning management system that can
be used to manage an online classroom. Interestingly, the tool is free for
teachers and students; even students’ parents can join the courses to monitor
the students’ progress.
The process from signing
up to creating course contents and quizzes was very easy and user-friendly. I didn't experience much difficulty going through the whole process. Details of
the steps will be discussed later. This tool can now be
access with iPhone, iPad, amazon kindle, and android phones; allowing both
student and instructor to access the course on the go.
Last point, when I
first signed-up and used Schoology, I felt that this tool is a blend of
blackboard and Facebook. I assume that the design of the interface is to
promote better communication between students with their peers and the
instructors.
Here's is how it looks:
Do
I need to download or install any tools or components to use Schoology? No
What
do you need to know before using this tool? Familiarity
with Facebook
What
do you need to have before using this tool? Nothing specific.
However, Schoology has a feature that allows you to record your voice; so,
having a good microphone can be very useful if you plan to create a material
with audio narration.
2. Click Sign Up, select the category to fits you best:
Instructor, student, or parent; then, fill the required forms. As an instructor you will need to provide your name, email, and create a password. If you access as a student or a parent, you will need the course code that should be provided by the course instructor. The next descriptions will be about accessing as an instructor.
3. Welcome to Schoology!
4. Next, if you want to create a course, select
“courses” from the black ribbon at the top of the page, then select“create”.
5. Type in the “name” of the course that you want to create, select the “subject area” of the course, then select the “grade level” designated for the course.
6. Voila! You have created a course. Now
you can begin adding the course materials, quizzes, assignments, and
discussions by clicking on “add materials”
7. You can find the access code for your
course at the left corner of the page. Send it to your students when
the course is ready. It is that simple.
I created a course example with Schoology.
It is basically just a test course, and I put something about digital storytelling
there. To access this course, please go to: www.schoology.com
select sign up as a student, and use this access code: HHZBM-B7S68.
A
scenario of how I might use Schoology in a teaching environment:
My friends from Indonesia
always ask me to share the things that I’ve learned from the medical teaching
program at the COE. In the past, the only thing that I could do was just
sending some lecture slides or video links to them without having a proper
discussion about the material. I couldn’t know if the materials that I sent to
them were clear enough and if they needed further explanation since we couldn’t
establish a proper way to communicate.
With Schoology I can not
only share learning materials to my friends in a private group setting; I could
also discuss the materials easily using their Facebook-like discussion forum,
something that every one of us is very familiar with. I could even create
quizzes and assignments that allow them to practice the materials being
discussed (If they wish to do itJ). Aside of discussing the materials, I could
also learn about the trending news in my country and my city.
And, best of all, aside
of paying the internet bills, we don’t have to pay for anything else, because
it is free.
What
are the advantages and disadvantages of using this tool in a formal or informal
teaching environment?
Advantages:
Free
Provide a media for instructors to create
academic materials, manage the content, and share the materials with the
students through a Facebook-like discussion forum.
The courses can only be accessed by
people with the course code
Disadvantages:
The courses can only be accessed by
people with the course code
The students can easily get distracted from
the course purpose.
