SlideShare

The resource for today is called SlideShare.

What is SlideShare?

SlideShare is a large virtual community for sharing presentations (especially PowerPoint presentations). SlideShare also supports PDF documents, Word documents, videos, and webinars (by syncing mp3 audio to make it like a podcast). Individuals can also comment, favorite, and download presentations from the website. Organizations also upload documents to share ideas, connect with one another, conduct research, and generate leads for business purposes. The fun thing about SlideShare is that you can download each presentation and either reuse or remix the presentation, allowing you to use a bit of the information, but not all of it.

Is it free?

SlideShare is free. There's an option where you can choose the entire program to be free. With this, you receive just BASIC settings, uploads and shares. But, if you want to go beyond this and get extra perks, there are different tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The descriptions of each plan are listed in the picture below:

But, if you are a teacher, this are also EDU pricing. The breakdown for the pricing is 50% off the pricing listed above. The chart below details the full amounts and how to get the upgrade:

What will SlideShare bring to your classroom?

This product can prove to be beneficial in all different grades throughout the education system. From using it in the Kindergarten classroom to create a presentation about family members to using it in 4th grade classrooms to discuss the scientific process of the life of a pumpkin to a college student creating a webinar on the reasons why we should invest in mutual funds. This tool brings an easier way to create "PowerPoint type presentations," visual aids, and slideshows in the classroom environment, all while giving the ability to share with others around the world.

How do I use SlideShare?

Below, I will show examples of how to use SlideShare.

Step 1: Upload one or more of your own files by using either button - upload (for one upload) or upload+ (for more than one upload).

Step 2: Begin to enter your information for your upload.

Step 3: After you have entered your details, hit "SAVE DETAILS." This saves all your information.

Step 4: That's it! Your file is now uploaded and can be downloaded, shared, embedded, and anything else you would like to do to it!

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How can I use SlideShare in my classroom?

Below is a list of ways that this tool can be utilized in the classroom:

-Show the rules to new students
-Share student work that's the best each week
-Peer editing or review of presentations by classmates
-Presentation on oneself to allow others to 'get to know' you
-Create presentations for various academic subjects for 1:1 learning
-Collaborate with other classrooms on presentations through SlideShare
-Conference presentations for parents when they have to come in and see you
-Have students research using the topics on SlideShare for their own research projects

-Create photo brochures of countries that are being studied in a foreign language classroom

-Use as a teaser of what the days events will hold - specific subjects you're going to go over
-Vocabulary words - describe the word, definition, how you could use it, part of speech, etc.
-Find slideshows that are out there about a topic & create a Wiki embedded with presentations
-Assign a famous American to each student and have them research & upload their presentation

-Assign groups and have each group do a presentation on a chapter from the book you are reading

-Embed presentations on a specific time period into a class blog, creating a timeline with presentations

Honestly, the possibilities are ENDLESS.

How would YOU use SlideShare in your classroom? Answer in the comments on this post!

VoiceThread

The resource for today is called VoiceThread.

What is VoiceThread?

VoiceThread is a collaborative video making service that is completely free. According to the website, "VoiceThread is a collaborative, multimedia slide show that holds images, documents, and videos and allows people to leave comments in 5 different ways." These presentations can be shared on various websites, presenters can doodle on the presentation to let you know what is most important at different times, and comments are allowed from multiple points of entry to encourage communication and discussion.

Is it free?

VoiceThread is free for every e-mail address. There is NOTHING to install on your computer. You can (if you so choose) receive a single educator license, school license, or district/state license for a price. For the single educator license, you are allowed to create up to 50 different student accounts (no e-mails needed), work in a secure environment, create classes or groups, and can create unlimited voice threads or 50 per student a year. The price for this is $79.00 a year. For the school license, you are allowed to create anywhere from 350-1980 users. Of course, the price varies for these accounts anywhere from $450.00-$2055.20. The more users, the bigger the discount. You also receive the same benefits that are listed above for the single user license. Finally, for the district/state license, you have to call in order to receive a price. You also receive everything listed above, but you receive more, too! You receive reporting and analytics, advanced security controls, enhanced support package, custom homepage to showcase student work, and you can control student publishing rights. Depending on your needs, one of the above plans (or even the SINGLE free plan) might work!

What will VoiceThread bring to your classroom?

This product can prove to be beneficial in all different grades throughout the education system. From using it in the Kindergarten classroom to create a slideshow about the alphabet using pictures that start with the letters to using it in 5th Grade classrooms to talk about the United States to a college student working through a description of a plan using Bloom's Taxonomy. This tool brings an easier way to create "PowerPoint type presentations," visual aids, and slideshows in the classroom environment while adding different voice options to create interactive, fun presentations. 

How do I use VoiceThread?

Below, I will show you the steps of using VoiceThread.

Head to VoiceThread.com & click the "Sign in or Register" button to do either or. I already have an account so I went ahead and logged in.


This is your dashboard on VoiceThread. As you can see, I have 4 different VoiceThreads currently. At the bottom of this tutorial, you will see the State Project VoiceThread I created for a course in my undergraduate career.

Step 1: Upload your images, documents, or videos from your computer, media sources, URL, or webcam.

Step 2: Begin to work on the comments. I just chose a random photo from my computer to write a VoiceThread about. Click the COMMENT button at the bottom of the picture.

Here are your choices of how to record: by phone, video camera, record, or type.

Here's the example comment I made for this photo. I did a comment by text rather than by voice.

Step 3: Share your presentation! You can do this by sharing with different groups, your contacts, or simply get the link to share.

EXAMPLE

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How can I use VoiceThread in my classroom?

Below is a list of ways that this tool can be utilized in the classroom:

-Perform poems using pictures and voiceovers
-Presentation on oneself to allow others to 'get to know' you
-Create different movie trailers for books that have been read
-Create a video report on an animal, containing pictures and voice overs
-Create a video about a science project showcasing the scientific process
-Use the book "The Important Book" to influence important voice threads
-Create a slideshow on a specific state and it's symbols (state flower, animal, etc.)
-Write a review about a topic just discussed (what was liked and what was disliked)
-Vocabulary words - describe the word, definition, how you could use it, part of speech, etc.
-In an art classroom, inspect a piece of art on a slide by discussing the differing aspects noticed
-Summarize a story using the slide show feature to showcase different pictures from the stories
-Create mystery places by uploading pictures and having students write about where it might be
-What are they thinking activities (discuss what the person or people in the picture might be thinking)
-Create photo brochures with voice overs of countries that are being studied in a foreign language class
-Write a short fictional story using photos from the Internet and voiceovers using the mic or text features

Honestly, the possibilities are ENDLESS.

How would YOU use VoiceThread in your classroom? Answer in the comments on this post!