VoiceThread, Animoto, and Wordle

I thought this weeks assignments were fun to do. I can see how useful all of these tools can be in the classroom. After exploring all three, I enjoyed Animoto the most. It was easy to create a video and I liked adding comments and being able to pick my own music to go along with the video. I think that VoiceThread was the most difficult; I have never used this program before, so I have to watch the tutorials and explore the website before I could even begin to create.

I do like the idea of using VoiceThread in the classroom because it allows for collaboration between the students. A VoiceThread could be created about anything and the rest of the class could comment. For example, when studying presidents each student could pick a different president to create a VoiceThread for. I think it would be helpful in math class to show students steps to solving problems. I created my VoiceThread about solving simple math word problems. 

VoiceThread

Animoto was a really interesting tool to use. I can see how useful it would be in the classroom for many reasons. I would love to create a video about field trips, the Special Olympics, and other memorable events. It also would work good as a learning tool. The teacher could create a virtual field trip using this program, introduce a unit, or use it to teach part of a lesson. There is a link to my video below, I wasn't really sure what to make it about and I don't have a lot of pictures; the pictures I do have are from my field observation hours from last weekend......so I hope everyone enjoys Robotics :)

Animoto Video


I thought it was very easy to create a Wordle and I can see myself using it in the classroom. The Wordle that I created is about Special Education (link below). I like that you can enter as many words as you want and randomize your words until it creates a design that you desire. In the classroom I would use Wordle with my students for many things. For example, the students could practice their spelling words, site words, vocabulary, the main idea of a reading, or to make as many synonyms as they could think of.

 Special Education Wordle