Choose one of the discussion tools - Padlet, FlipGrid or VoiceThread, to learn more about. If you're already comfortable with these tools, skip ahead to Task 2!
Padlet is one of my favorite tools. It's easy to use and extremely versatile. You can create an account by logging in with your FCPS Google account here. In addition to sharing text, video, drawings, and images, users can share Google Docs and Wixie projects with each other. Watch this brief tutorial to get started with Padlet.
FlipGrid is another great virtual discussion tool that can be leveraged in blended learning. This differs from Padlet in that it is a video discussion forum, which until recently, Padlet didn't offer. With a free account, you get one grid with unlimited topics. Watch this brief tutorial to learn how to set up and use FlipGrid in your classroom.
If you're curious how FlipGrid looks from the student's perspective, here's another brief video and illustrated directions.
Mrs. Kelley's class used FlipGrid to recommend their favorite book series. Check out their reflections here:
VoiceThread is another versatile tool in the FCPS digital ecosystem that can be used as a presentation and/or a discussion tool. Essentially, it is a collaborative, multimedia slide show that holds images, documents, and videos and allows people to navigate slides and leave comments in 5 ways - using voice (with a mic or telephone), text, audio file, or video (via a webcam).
This is an example of a VoiceThread in which students looked at pictures of real-world objects and had to discuss what shape it looked like to them. Take a few minutes to check it out.
Note: Make sure you're logged into VoiceThread or content will not be accessible.
When using VoiceThread with your students, you'll want to use Blackboard as the portal because that's how users are authenticated. You and the students will be able to create more threads. With the free version, access is limited, and students and teachers would have to create accounts.
Unfortunately, there are a few bugs when using VoiceThread with Blackboard. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
This short VoiceThread will show you how to create a VoiceThread.
1. Choose either Padlet, FlipGrid, or Voice Thread to facilitate a discussion with your students.
2. Create your account and post a discussion prompt.
3. Share the prompt with students either through Google Classroom or Blackboard.
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH IMPLEMENTATION? INVITE ME TO YOUR CLASSROOM OR SCHEDULE TIME WITH ME IN THE TECH LAB! I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT!
4. After your students have participated in the discussion, please share the link to your discussion forum on this spreadsheet. Provide the password, too, if necessary. Finally, share your thoughts on implementation. What did you like about the tool? What challenges did you encounter? Did you find providing students with feedback to be more efficient using this tool?