Issues with Web 2.0 in Educational Environments

or Find My Group's VoiceThread Here

My group collaborated in a number of ways on this project.  We started out by using email to develop a plan.  We discussed our question and exactly what subtopics we would address.  We then each picked a subtopic.  Finally, also via email, we decided that we would use Google Presentation in a shared format to create and review our slides.  We then moved our Google Presentation to VoiceThread and added our comments.  My group worked exceptionally well together and every member of the group contributed equally.  It may have been one of the best group work experiences I have had.

Uploading the presentation to VoiceThread is a snap.  It only took a few minutes.   I provided comments on the slides in two ways, by typing and by recording using a microphone.  I did not chose to use the webcam, but not because I thought it would be anymore difficult.  Both methods of commenting we very easy, and I was pleased with the results.  It was also easy to delete the recorded comments and start again.  Overall, my experience with VoiceThread was very positive, and I think that I will want to use it again.

I can see a definite place for VoiceThread in my day-to-day work life.  My colleagues and I are based at different hospital sites, and this can, at times, make collaboration difficult.  Using a tool like VoiceThread, particularly when we are working on joint presentations would really simplify things and obviate the need to be in the same location.  I am going to introduce VoiceThread to some of my work partners and see if they are interested in giving it a try.  I also have considered that this would be a really neat way to engage the medical students and residents in learning core concepts in Obstetrics and Gynecology.  I could post a presentation with my comments and then allow them to add additional comments which would give me the opportunity to evaluate their comprehension of the materials.