Learning Activity Summary

Readings       

This week you will read:

• Module 8
  
• They Snooze, You Lose by Lynell Burmark, chapters 10-12
  
• How to create a VoiceThread PowerPoint presentation (Simmons College, 2009)
• 7 things you should know about VoiceThread (Educause, 2009)
• VoiceThread training (Atomic Learning, 2011) 

Seminar 

You will attend a seminar that will showcase one project you have completed so far this semester. (See SEMINAR below for details.)

Introduction

Creating engaging presentations requires meticulous attention to detail. Just as you would select the ripest, most flavorful fruits and vegetables for your family's favorite dinner, the most meaningful elements must be selected and added in just the right way. Now it's time to look at the "recipe." By telling stories which engage the senses, presentations retain not only their function, but enrich the form, which will all but guarantee that they won't snooze... (A great read on this is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig, one of my favorite books. Put this on your "to do" list for after you graduate!)

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate and then evaluate the power of stories and the engagement of the senses in two dimensional space.
  
• Analyze and evaluate how another Web 2.0 tool could be used to support instruction in the classroom
• Create a product that demonstrates the effectiveness of this tool with regard to engaging and motivating students
  

Reading

• Module 8
  
• They Snooze, You Lose by Lynell Burmark, chapters 10-12
• How to create a VoiceThread PowerPoint presentation (Simmons College, 2009)
• 7 things you should know about VoiceThread (Educause, 2009)
• VoiceThread training (Atomic Learning, 2011)

Seminar     

• Option 1 - You will attend a seminar that will showcase your use of SpicyNodes. Each presentation will walk the class through the product and how this could be used for another lesson as well. Each student will have no more than 2 minutes to present.
  
• Option 2 -   You will create a 500+ word response that covers the areas in option 1. This along with a link to your SpicyNodes product is to be sent to the instructor for mailing out to the entire class.

 Your grade will be predicated upon the following rubric:

Weekly Assignment

Part one:

This week will will complete the text, They Snooze, You Lose. As you read the thoughts of Dr. Burmark, think of a story you could tell the class which relates to the course content that you teach. Perhaps it is a discovery within the field or a Nobel Prize winner and their beginnings. Create a brief (6 slide) PowerPoint. Be sure to incorporate techniques and concepts you have learned from the reading of chapters 10-12.  

Part two:

This week you will be introduced to a unique, Web 2.0 collaborative tool that is just made for storytelling - VoiceThread! Take time to review the VoiceThread overviews and tutorials listed in the readings above. Create a free account. Upload your presentation and create your very first VoiceThread!

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Part three:

Comment on your classmates' presentations.

To do-

1. Read chapters 10-12 in They Snooze, You Lose by Burmark 
2. Create a brief (6 slide) PowerPoint which focuses upon a story you could tell the class that relates to the course content you teach, using the techniques and concepts discussed
   
3. Go to VoiceThread and sign up for a free account.
4. Take a stroll through the  gallery.
5. Using the PowerPoint presentation, create a VoiceThread
6. Turn in your assignment here. Be sure to link to your professional wiki as well.

7. Comment on at least two of your classmates' threads (specifics in box below)
   

Your grade will be predicated upon the following:

Note: Extra credit opportunity!!

1. Comment on the rest of your classmates' VTs using any commenting method. Upon full completion, 10 points will be awarded on any prior assignment (weeks 1-7) of your choice which earned less than full points. (Points will be applied to one assignment only and will not go over the maximum points that can be earned.) Send the additional commented VT links to your instructor in an email along with each classmate's name. Email must be timestamped by Sunday at midnight.

2. Comment on two classmates' VT using a webcam. Upon full completion, 10 points will be awarded on any prior assignment (weeks 1-7) of your choice which earned less than full points. (Points will be applied to one assignment only and will not go over the maximum points that can be earned.) Send the additional commented VT links to your instructor in an email along with each classmate's name. Email must be timestamped by Sunday at midnight. 

And YES, you may take advantage of one or BOTH opportunities!

Additional clarification: If you choose to do #1 and #2, this means that two of your classmates will have more than one comment from you. For example, Rachel Goodstudent comments on the two VTs required for the to-do. Then she decides to take advantage of both extra credit opportunities. First, she comments on all the other students in her class. Now, between the initial to-do and extra credit opportunity #1, every VT has been commented on once by Rachel. However, she also wants to take advantage of extra credit opportunity #2. This means that the additional webcam comments must now be made on two VTs she has commented upon already.

One last extra credit note: Be sure to make all comments specific to each VT reviewed, including the two for the same person (if you decide to do both extra credit opportunities). Finally, be sure to send links in separate emails, indicating if they are option #1 or #2, and provide the links to the VTs along with the classmate's name . Be sure to include which assignment you would like your extra credit points added to.

Congratulations - you have just finished week 8!

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