Two of the main criteria I have for choosing tools for technology integration are:

1. It's easy to use, and
2. It's transformative (changes my classroom for the better in ways not possible without the technology). 

VoiceThread fits both of these perfectly and is one of the most powerful tools out on the web for teachers to use to help open up their classrooms to a larger, global audience. VoiceThread helps to redefine our classrooms by extending learning beyond the classroom walls while preparing our students with the skills necessary for the 21st Century.

Simply put, the user uploads pictures to the VoiceThread. At that time, comments can be made by the teacher, or the thread can just be left opened for others to start the comments. Threads can be made public or private with comments turned on or off. It's a breeze to moderate comments: when a new one has been created, the administrator of the account simply clicks on a picture to open up the "curtains" to publish it. If you don't approve it, close the curtains again, or throw it into the trash can.

I've used VoiceThread with several hundred students at a time by creating multiple identities in each user account set up for each grade. So, for instance, I have Grade 1, and within that account, I've set up 23 identities that match the computer number in my lab. In a contained classroom, you could set up different identities under your teacher account for each student. A good idea would be to just use initials for your students identities and allow them to create a drawing for the icon to represent them rather than using their photo.

There are different account options for you to choose from at VoiceThread. As an educator, you're able to sign up for a free account, which allows you all the space, bandwith and options that a premium paid account affords. There is also an educator paid account that gives you the benefit of allowing your students to log-in without an email address and create their own VoiceThreads. Pricing is affordable at $60 a year or $10 a month for classrooms, or $1 per student for an entire school.

VoiceThreads can live right on the web as long as you have an account, but now you can also download your creations as "archival movies" for just $2.99 per download. After working on a classroom VoiceThread all year, download a copy, burn it to disc and give it to the students as a year book, or portfolio.

Some powerful uses for VoiceThread include: Using it for reflections from the class after finishing a unit of study; creating a book talk; student/class portfolios; weekly "newsletters" from students to parents; pen-pal correspondence between two classrooms; foreign language instruction (students practice pronunciation to match the pictures); assessments or surveys. Just hunt around at VoiceThread in the public gallery and you'll get plenty more great ideas. Also, here's an incredible open wiki started by Colette Cassinelli where plenty of great examples have been housed as well as an excellent tutorial created by Miguel Guhlin to get you inspired and up and running!

Bob Sprankle has been a multi-age teacher in Wells, ME for 10 years and has served as the school's Technology Integrator for the past two years.

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