Hello Everyone!
Wow... week nine in ADED 1P32 was busy as we explored a new digital communication tool in the form of VoiceThread, continued our learning in digital rights and responsibilities by working through different scenarios and we completed our Google Docs section of the course with our Google Docs presentation!
Exploration of VoiceThread
During my time on VoiceThread I found it very interesting how people are able to connect and share ideas about topics so easily. In the activity that we took part in, each slide was very open for people opinions on some controversial topics that needed answering. With that in mind, I got thinking about how useful this tool could be when searching for information on a research topic for a class. Or even better, if you are undecided on a side to pick on a certain topic, the comments on VoiceThread would most definitely provide a view at both sides and allow you to form a opinion of your own with a plethora of information.
Furthermore, while exploring VoiceThread it occurred to me that this would be a great tool to use in a small classroom setting. As an undergraduate student, it is a normal occurrence that I have the task of running a small class (15-20 people) for 40 minutes as part of a course requirement. With this mind, I started thinking about the benefits of using it during one of my seamer presentations. With these seminar presentations one the biggest challenges is motivating people to get involved within the presentation and making the presentation last the whole 40 minutes. By using VoiceThread, it is my belief that it will encourage people to contribute answers as it does not put anyone on the spot, rather they can write the opinion or answer without having to "put themselves out there". Therefore, using this tool could extremely enhance my presentations by getting more input from my fellow peers which would generate more discussion and increase the duration of the presentation.
In concluding my discussion on VoiceThread, I would categorize this tool as part of my "educational" category in my Personal Learning Environment. Although a valuable tool in the context of an educational purpose, I do not see the need or benefit in using the tool in any other aspect of my life and therefore it would be strictly under the "educational" category.
Feedly Update
This week I found an article published by CNN News titled "Siri, I was raped; Study compares smartphone responses in crises". This article talked about how in a digital world where smartphones can give you an immediate answer to typically questions such as "Where is the closest restaurant?" or "Where is the closest hospital?, however when someone asks where to get help for things such as rape siri has no answer. I believe that this is something that should be looked at by smartphone producers because as the article stated "smartphones...can facilitate getting the person in need the right help at the right time"(CNN News.)
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| Picture demonstrating the response Siri gave when someones tries to get help around the subject of rape. Picture found at: http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/14/health/smartphone-responses-rape-violence/index.html?eref=rss_topstories |
This article links to the learning of proper use of technology in the digital world as this article highlights an example of someone who is trying to use it in an appropriate manner. In today's society where people are scared to ask for help with personal issues such as rape and mental health disorders it is something that smartphone producers should work to ensure that using technology to receive help is something that is achievable.
I hope everyone enjoyed all the blog posts and work that was put into week 9!
Make sure to keep following my journey either on the blog or through my twitter @B_Esler17
Take care bloggers,
Brandon
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