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Portfolio Project

4.B. "Voice Thread Confessions"

(Time: 1.5 hrs)

In this project, you get to learn how to use a free new tool, on the Net, that may compete with texting... let me tell you the ways Voice Thread rocks.

First of all, you can add an image or a video to the message and then talk about it. You can add a text bubble & type in your comments and you can also be a talking head by hitting the camera button & talking in front of your eye cam.

Another cool thing you can do is choose a color and draw on your image or video. Because the the arrows, words & drawings you scrawl onto the image start to fade away after a couple of seconds, your screen is always clear again soon and there's room to draw more. It's easy to get carried away with this hilarious.. creative or dead serious (you decide) message maker. In any case, it gives you tools to express yourself (a) in the flesh, (b) in voice,(c) in cartoon text bubbles, & (d) in motion- your viewers watch you draw, doodle & create in your own way while you talk... it's almost like creating your own mini-cartoon movie.

1 I loved it and barely stopped with the first message I made (...but the clock hit midnight & bed called & that had to be the end of the story). Beware... the impulse to 'go random' is extremely enticing with this particular set of tools. At the very least, you will be entertained even if your audience goes caput. wink In all likelihood, they will be as drawn in as you.

I will explain it in a few easy steps... watch closely... (the suspense is on!)

First: Go to http://voicethread.com

Once here you will notice 3 file tabs at the top of the red folders- click on "BROWSE."
You will see a series of blue squares that look like a filmstrip, click on:

1st- "What's a Voice Thread" (...a new toy big grin)

2nd- "Phone Commenting Remote Control" (...the easiest way to add voice to the picture...just pick up the phone & talk)

3rd-"The Doodler" (how to draw or draw & talk at the same time)

and finally, click on a couple samples of Voice Threads to see some of what can be done... (only spend 10 minutes or so here- you don't need to look at the whole thing but click on different faces along the sides to hear/read/watch other peoples comments OR to get to the next picture, click on the arrow in the lower left corner.)

"Chicken Man Art"
"Portrait Painting" (first picture)
"Why Do People Hate?"


1 (You'll do much more than what you will see here, a 'cause o' your humungus & brilliant creatin' bone.... found... a.. somewhere in your body... where is it??..I swear it was right here a minute ago...in the dryer?? Oh yeah, it got a little paint splattered last project.)

So you get an idea of what you can do with this tool.
I want you to spend a little time thinking about what it was that inspired you to create the things you did for your last portfolio project: "Yard Sale," and why you chose the graffiti design you put on it?

You will upload a picture of your artpiece (and perhaps closeups of areas you want to talk about in more detail). Then experiment with the different tools you can use- make at least part of your comments using each of:

- cartoon text bubble (text)
- verbal comment (upload a picture or drawing of your face)
- the doodler (draw or draw & talk at the same time)

(optional) - if you have a webcam, try making a comment with it so we can see your gleaming eyes & smile... don't worry- everyone feels a little goofy on camera- it's worth it because we get so much more of what you mean)

Now lets do it!

#1. Create account: ---- On the homepage, look for the phrase, "Sign in or Register" (upper left, right above "voicethread") and click on it. Do not type your email & password into the box but look to the line below this & click on "Register." Type in your email & make up a password (write this in the front cover of your sketchbook in case you forget later).

#2. At home page, click on red tab, "Create"

#3. Click on "Upload/ Edit" button

#4. Upload the file of the first image you want to talk about by clicking on "My Computer," browse for your file, click open and upload it.
--- continue to go through this process until you have uploaded all the images you want for the voice thread 'show'

#5. The images will appear in a 'filmstrip' in the order you uploaded them. To change the order, just click and drag each picture to the spot you want.

Next--

#6. Type a comment in the cartoon bubble: click on "A type"----- (Tell us what you called your artpiece, what's for sale & what you like the most about it ...)

#7. Add some talk: the easiest way to get your voice on the voice thread 'show' is to click the button with the telephone symbol on it. Your phone will ring in a few seconds and when you answer you will be directed to just leave a message on the phone. This message will be saved onto your voice thread. ---- (Tell us what you called your artpiece, what you like the most about it- what particular things worked, what was hard about making it, what you might change...tell us about your graffiti image on the back wall- what is it- how do you agree with it?)

#8. Doodle on your picture: draw, write or doodle on the picture by clicking on the color dot you want in the color wheel to the lower left of the screen. Now, what you draw will fade away in a few seconds which is generally what you want if you have a few different points to make. To make all your drawing stay without fading away, press the white dot in the center of the color wheel. (Point out things you're commenting on, draw, write or doodle your message.)

#9. To become a talking head: click on "Comment" and then on "Record." A small box may come up requesting you upload a picture (of yourself- head & shoulders) - do this & then continue. Click on the web camera symbol when you are ready to comment and smile into the camera. ---follow instructions-- Let us know what you are thinking.
---- (How does the artwork, as a whole, give us clues as to your identity, your likes, dislikes, beliefs? What did you like the most about making your 'Yard Sale?')

#10. Check it out: Make sure you have named the voice thread so that you can share it with your friends & the class.---- (Pretty cool, huh?
Good for you for being so bold & experimenting-- an hour ago you were a bumbling student & now you're a minor celebrity online-- whahoo!)

#11. To share: you will be asked if you want to share your voice thread when you are done. To do this, just type in the email address(es) or who you would like to view this. Make sure you send a copy to your teacher to share and get a mark. Send it now.

Evaluation Criteria:

Must See:

One 'Voice Thread' production- discuss own artwork production process & thoughts

Student creates a 'voice thread' that shows his/her:

ability to communicate his/her thoughts about the artwork production and process, clearly & effectively (3 questions discussed)
 		/5
ability to express self in 3-4 different ways (text, voice, drawing, video [optional]) /5
ability to follow directions and produce an audio-visual product with this practical online resource
/3
relaxed experimental attitude /2


Total: / 15


Refreshing Education & Winter © 2009
Last modified: Monday, 26 April 2010, 08:39 PM