VoiceThread - So Where Does This Fit?

This weeks' discovery of our Brock Class VoiceThread was interesting indeed.  I see this tool being one used to engage learners at all different learning styles which lends nicely to my social constructivism teaching philosophy.  I reviewed my Week 5's blog and that weeks’ presentation on PREZI – Social Constructivism by Alan Reed to connect the learning styles model with the teaching philosophy and it works!



The Fleming's VARK model of learning styles in particular lends itself to VoiceThread flexible structure of inclusion. Students can contribute in ways they are comfortable with and this can only encourage participation and heighten learning. 

The (Leithe, Svinicki & Shi, 2010) and it categorizations of the various types of learning styles as follows:

Fleming's VARK Model (Image courtesy of digitalmofo.com, 2012)

VARK model, is one of the most common and widely used

1. visual learners;
2. auditory learners;
3. reading-writing preference learners;
4. kinesthetic learners or tactile learners

Fleming claimed that visual learners have a preference for seeing (think in pictures; visual aids, slides, diagrams, handouts). Auditory learners best learn through listening (lectures, discussions, tapes.). Tactile/kinesthetic learners prefer to learn via experience—moving, touching, and doing (active exploration of the world; science projects; experiments).  Although these styles tend to be used most in pedagogy environments, I do in my own classes use these guidelines to prepare classes that address each of these areas (Leithe, Svinicki & Shi, 2010).

I see my use of  VOICETHREAD  working either on in class discussions or together with Google+ projects.  I will try one example just as a class topic and then evaluate again based on my classes feedback.

Having said all of this, I am a bit torn on using VOICETHREAD as I have only very briefly experienced it's use in this class this week.  I will conduct more research and ask my fellow teachers of their experience with this tool (if any).  Not yet completely sold, but willing to try it anyway.


References:

Leithe, W. L., Svinicki, M., & Shi, Y. (2010). Attempted validation of the scores of the vark: Learning styles inventory with multitrait-multimethod confirmatory factor analysis models. ERIC, 7(2), 323-339. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ879083

Digitalmofo.com. (Designer). (2012). Fleming's VARK Model [Web Drawing]. Retrieved from http://learningfordummies.wikispaces.com/