Check out the new tool that comes embeded in your Blackboard class. Students can make audio, video, or text comments on your multimedia presentations. 

Here you can find directions for using VoiceThread in your Blackboard class. 

​Take a look at these 26 ways to use VoiceThread in the classroom. 

-Michelle

Online discussions can be an effective way to teach and assess student learning. Some of the benefits of using online discussions include: 
*Teachers spend less time answering questions
*Students develop a stronger class community
*Students participate more regularly and in a more thoughtful manner than they would normally do in a face-to-face instructional setting
*Students are more likely to cite research and class readings
*Empowers students to express themselves.
*Students are more likely to utilize critical thinking skills

Before you dive into using online discussions make sure your students have an understanding of the basic guidelines, rules, and assessment practices. 

Uses for online discussion boards include:
-Ask the experts                   -Debates
-Polling                                   -Roll Playing
-Peer Review                         -Current Events
-Literature Circles                -Collaborative Writing 
-Virtual Field Trip                 -Backchannel during video
-"Real life" examples

There are many methods for assessing online discussions. Below are a few sample rubrics. 

Below you will find the presentation I created for a professional development class on the use of online discussion boards. 

-Michelle Bothel

A word cloud program displays the frequency of words in a text in a visual way, with the most frequently occurring words displayed larger.  Text can be typed, copy and pasted from other sources, or sometimes you can enter a website URL and the program will use all the words on the webpage. There are many uses for this software in the classroom. 
1. Text Summaries- The most important ideas should be predominate, helping students focus on the main idea and eliminating nonessential details when writing a text summary.
2. Pre-Reading Strategies- A word cloud can help students focus on new vocabulary that may be introduced or make predictions regarding an upcoming text. 
3. Writing Revision- By pasting their own work into the program students look for repetition cropping up in their writing.
4. Text Analysis- Examining a word cloud on a text or website can lead to important questions about the writing.  What is the theme, message, or mood of this text?  Can we determine any bias the author may have?  What does the author chose to emphasize and why do you think that is?  How does the language of a work determine these factors? Imagine a word cloud on the declaration of independence or the first chapter of a novel.
5. Group Brainstorming- Each group member must contribute a word to program and duplication is allowed. Projects in which each member uses an adjective to describe an individual can produce interesting results for historical figures, literary characters, or classmates. Similarly, historical or current events, scientific processes, mathematical premises, or any type of academic content can be used in a group brainstorming session.
 Examples of free word cloud programs include: Wordle, Tagxedo, and Word Clouds.

-Michelle Bothel