Web+2.0+Application+VoiceThread

__WEB 2.0 APPLICATION VOICETHREAD__ 

__Description of Product:__ This project is intended to introduce a Web 2.0 application through the use of an interactive presentation tool called VoiceThread. A PowerPoint presentation is created for the chosen emerging trend that highlights the features of the application, hardware and software requirements, and the uses for real-world application. This PowerPoint is then uploaded into the VoiceThread program and audio is added to explain each of the slides. The VoiceThread program includes tools that can be used to highlight or identify specific things on each slide.

__ Process for Topic Determination: __ I chose Moodle as the Web 2.0 application I wanted to research because although I had heard of it, I wasn't familiar with exactly what type of program it was, it's applications, and it's intended uses. My husband had used the program when he was in the Master's Program at the Naval PostGraduate School so I thought that he might be able to help me to understand the program and it's applications.

__ Link: __ [|Moodle VoiceThread] __

Reflection: __ This activity was somewhat complicated in that I was researching something I didn't know and then designing a presentation using a program that I didn't know. I really felt that it was a multi-faceted assignment; first, identify a Web 2.0 application and learn about it. Then, create a PowerPoint to instruct about the application and highlight it's features and uses. Finally, use an unfamiliar program, VoiceThread, to create a presentation for the Web 2.0 application. While I found the process for this assignment a bit difficult to navigate, I did learn about two new programs and some features that I think I could use with my students. Ultimately the VoiceThread was fairly simple to create. It is not the easiest program to use in that you can't easily edit your PowerPoint slides once they have been uploaded. I found the audio feature easy to use and I liked that others could view your project and provide feedback using several different methods.

Moodle was actually fairly straightforward and easy to understand. I think using Blackboard, which is a similar virtual classroom program, enabled me to better understand Moodle and it's applications. I liked that Moodle was free and was supported by volunteer programmers. I think that this makes it more accessible since there is no fee involved with using it. There were no unusual hardware or software requirements which made it even more easy to use. I am surprised that more colleges and high schools aren't using Moodle since it is used worldwide and costs nothing.