How+to+Make+a+VT

toc =Introduction=
 * research the topic
 * find the pictures they want to use
 * create the script
 * check with the teacher for grammar, facts
 * Introduce Voicethread

=Registration=
 * Registration for students can be done at [|Voicethread] is easy and free
 * This registration allows them to create three Voicethreads. If you want them to do more, you'll have to create a group in your educator account.
 * Have them use their email address to register. They have to remember their logins. If they do not have an email address, Mike can make one for them

=Creating The Voicethread= Creating Voicethreads are easy, easier than PowerPoint. In fact, Voicethread takes you through the process step-by-step, you have to try pretty hard to make a mistake.

Creating
Click on the **Create** Tab to create a new Voicethread. Note, if students try to log into their accounts by clicking on **Create** instead of the **signin** link, Voicethread will ask them to login, and take them to the create window. So if they are editing a Voicethread they've already made, they need to click on the **MyVoice** link to see the Voicethreads they've already made. **Browse** allows you to see public Voicethreads.

Uploading Files
You can upload pictures one at a time, or as many as you want at a time. Once pictures are uploaded, you can also rearrange the pictures. A neat thing about Voicethread is you can also upload music files, video files, and documents.

Adding Titles
At the top, you'll title your Voicethread. At the bottom, you can give a subtitle to your picture. You can turn the picture and also delete the picture. Notice, for uploading pictures, you can upload from your Computer, other Voicethreads, or from web services. I'd suggest downloading pictures so you know you always have them.

Commenting


Once all your pictures are uploaded, you can now comment. Just pick your first picture and click on the second button. The screen changes and you'll notice the "comment" button on the bottom of the slide you want to comment to.

More Comments


You have 4 ways to comment. Going from left to right: you can use a cell phone or home phone. Click the phone icon, type in your phone number and you'll get a phone call. Leave a voice message, and it will appear on the voicethread. Using the phone does cost money after you use the free 3 minutes so it's not recommended.

The second icon is for a web cam. If you have one, click it and record yourself. Usually, this is used for comments by other people, not as a part of your original work. But if you have a web cam, why not use it?

The third is the most useful and most ideal. It records using a microphone (remember, it's VOICETHREAD). Once you click on it, it will ask if you want to accept your micrphone, you say yes, and then talk. You can then listen to it before saving it. If you like it, save it. If not, delete it and start over.

The fourth option allows you to type your responses. Most students pick this, but try to do the voice as much as you can.

You can add as many comments as you want on one slide.

Drawing


If you want to point something out, you can draw on your Voicethread like the above picture with the color wheel. In Internet Explorer, the picture will draw at the exact time you want it to.

Publishing
Teachers should be thinking in the terms of student publishing work, not just turning it in. On the bottom, you'll see a button for **Publishing Options**. Click that and you'll get the four options above. Just click them all.

Sharing


The best way to get your student's work is to have them share it with you. They'll add you as a **Contact** by using the Add button above. They just type in your email address (which ever you used to sign up for Voicethread). Then, once they see your name, like Ann in the example, they can click on the "eyeball" or CBS logo to share it with you. Once they do that, you'll be able to see their Voicethread. = They can also do this with other students in the class with the email address they used to sign up for Voicethread.

Collaboration


By clicking on the other two icons, students can collaborate with each other or with the teacher. The Cartoon Bubble allows others to leave comments on the Voicethread and the Pencil icon allows people to edit and add content. Someone you've shared with cannot delete your Voicethread.

Embedding
Sometimes, you'll want to share your Voicethread either by URL or by embedding it into a webpage similar to the two Voicethreads on the homepage of this site. In the picture above, the **Embed Code** is a simple copy and paste into your web page. The **URL** is copied and you can paste it wherever you want.

Playback
Each Voicethread runs on its own. You do not have to advance the Voicethread. Most often, the default settings are good enough, but if you want to speed up or slow down your Voicethread, just change the first option.