I wasn't quite sure how the first graders were going to do with voicethread but they did a great job. Since they already sit in groups, I had them decide who was going to comment on the voicethread but they were going to come up with the answer as a group. They all loved working with voicethread and they followed directions very well.
What worked well?
I made instructions for them to use as they went through voicethread with pictures showing the direction. Even though i wanted to see them record every single comment, I still needed to attend to the other students in the classroom. By having the directions up, they were able to use voicethread in their own. I only had one computer going with voicethread, so while that one group did voicethread i had the rest of the class doing another hands-on activity about the life cycle of a chicken.
What would you do differently next time?
I had a lot of problems with voicethread kicking me out because there were 3 other girls in the first grade doing a different one and then when the students would start to record it would freeze and we would have to start all over again. so that was frustrating because the students would get bored and irritated. So i think that next time i would get my own account and use the voicethread so that i wouldn't have any technical issues.
Lesson Plan: The Life Cycle of a Chicken
Bloom's Taxonomy
Pedagogical Implications
I like your questions. I know we both did the chicken life cycle but your questions are definitely higher thinking. Mine were pretty basic.Glad it went well!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you had technical issues, but I'm glad it went well for you other than that! I, too, only used one computer, but I wasn't able to use microphones. From what I've heard, the students had a GREAT time using the mics. I wish I could have.
ReplyDeleteYou made good use of the various color groups. Please remember that you want to frame questions that allow unique responses that add to the collective knowledge, and / or questions that encourage interaction on a deeper level among participants.
ReplyDeleteThe technical issues will always happen. I think that's one thing I don't like about VoiceThread...I mean look at the issues we have on BlackBoard sometimes! But nonetheless it engages the students so much....I never would've thought! I'm glad yours went well and that your students enjoyed it. That's the important thing anyway (:
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite things that you did was the visual instructions that you provided the students. When we were discussing our final products, I really liked how you said that the visual aids really helped the students work more independently while you still attended to everyone else! Wish I could have done something similar with mine! Nice VoiceThread!!
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