March+27th+Assignment




 * Reading Journal**

__Seven Things to Know about Voicethread__ 1) Definition: VoiceThread, an application that lets users add voice or text annotation to visual media, creating a Flash-based animation. 2) Benefits: more lengthy and detailed explanations are feasible than would be suitable for text alone, while intonation and voice patterns convey information that can be missed or misconstrued in a text-based markup 3) A doodling function allows authors or commentators to direct attention to areas under discussion by drawing circles, lines, arrows, or other indicators on the photo or video images. 4) It is particularly useful/effective on team projects or small classes, where the number of participants will not overwhelm the application’s functionality. 5) Cell phones can be used to record the voice annotations. 6) In disciplines where students create a portfolio of their work, VoiceThread provides the opportunity to build annotated presen- tations that include voice, video, and text explanations of what they have done.

1) In the VoiceThread on the Storykit project, I could include a tutorial on how to do certain steps within Storykit. 2) Depending on how the project goes, Miguel could narrate some parts.

__Accessibility of VoiceThread__ 1) The goal of the VoiceThread interface is to make it straightforward and pleasant for everyone to use. 2) VoiceThread feels that input from users is especially important because often accessibility features aren't what they expected. 3) The deaf and hearing impaired can use the video function to use sign language to make their comments. 4) They have an option for those who are visually-impaired or blind.They created an alternative interface from scratch, specially designed to be used with screen-reading software and other assistive technologies and it is called VoiceThread Universal. 5) Their product is ever-morphing.

1) Inspired by the people who signed in their comments, I could treat it similarly and hold up items, etc. 2) Insert music, potentially, within the project.

__8th Grade Historical Fiction VoiceThread__ 1) The pages “turn” for themselves. 2) There are themes that from the looks of it provide borders, like the notebook one used in this VoiceThread. 3) One commenter is used for the entire book, although there are different voices. 4) There is a bar along the bottom that shows the progression of the speech. This is nice so people know how much longer a certain page is. 5) But, there is no way to see how many pages there are in a VoiceThread.

1) I will use the video function so that people can see my facial expressions. 2) Potentially, I will utilize the page borders/themes.