Review of a Web 2.0 Tool

       The web 2.0 tool that I have decided to review is VoiceThread. Prior to my Introduction to Technology class at National Louis University, I had never heard of nor used VoiceThread before. VoiceThread is similar to Microsoft PowerPoint in the sense that you can create and transition in between slides. However, one important difference between the two is that you can interact with the viewers of your VoiceThread presentation through video or voice recording.

        VoiceThread allows users to record themselves or their voices and add them to their presentation. What surprised me the most is that a user has the option to call their VoiceThread presentation and create their voice recording for each individual slide. Viewers of the VoiceThread presentation can also leave comments through voice and video recording as well. VoiceThread gives its users the opportunity to create a more interactive presentation without having to use other web 2.0 tools, such as YouTube or Skype.
       VoiceThread is also an effective tool that teachers can incorporate into their classrooms. One example is incorporating the use of VoiceThread in a first grade social studies lesson. The Illinois State Board of Education Standards for early elementary states that students should "identify key individuals and events in the development of the local community (e.g. Founders days, names of parks, streets, public buildings)." During this exercise, the teacher would be able to create multiple slides that contain images of historical individuals, parks and buildings. Students would be able to comment on each photo they identify and provide facts they know about them. VoiceThread is safe and easy enough to use in an elementary school setting under the supervision of a classroom teacher.