This document announces a workshop that will showcase three web-based technology tools - Animoto videos, VoiceThread, and Voki - that instructors can use to empower students and engage them in classroom assignments. The workshop will demonstrate how these tools can be used in blended, face-to-face, and online learning environments to achieve the nine events of instruction. Sample projects created with each tool will be provided so participants can get hands-on experience with Animoto, VoiceThread, and Voki.

1. OUR VOICE VIA VIDEOS,
VOICETHREAD, & VOKI
MICHIGAN COLLEGE ENGLISH ASSOCIATION
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
YPSILANTI, MI
10.24.14
A’Kena LongBenton, ABD, EdS
Wayne State University
akenalong@aol.com

2. WORKSHOP ABSTRACT
 This presentation will showcase how
instructors can empower their students to
develop their voice as they complete
classroom assignments.
 Three, easy, web-based technology tools
will be showcased, i.e.,
 Animoto videos: trailer-style videos
 VoiceThread: group/online collaborations
 Voki: instructor presence; homework
reminders; learning objectives

3. ABSTRACT CONT.
 Animoto videos, Voki, and VoiceThread are
technology tools that capture Gagne’s (1965)
Nine Events of Instruction:
 gain the learner’s attention
 inform the learner of earning objectives
 present the content
 provide learning guidance,
 allow learner to practice, etc.
 The facilitator will demonstrate how these tools
can be used successfully in blended, face-to-face
(F2F), and online learning environments.

4. ABSTRACT CONT.
 Sample Animoto videos are included in this web link:
http://goo.gl/gTJVlm
 A sample VoiceThread using online group collaboration
is included in this web link: http://goo.gl/iWEXkt
 A sample Voki introducing a learning objective is
included in this web link: http://goo.gl/3Z6P7f
 This latter tool can also be used for online homework
reminders and maintaining an instructor presence when
students are away from the classroom, e.g., non-teaching
days, online environments, etc.

5. VIDEO & SLIDES
 Empowerment Video: http://goo.gl/sbz9pW
 Today’s Workshop Slides: http://goo.gl/_____

6. GETTING STARTED INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES
 Poll Everywhere Survey: http://goo.gl/VooCms

7. 30 ANIMOTO VIDEOS
http://goo.gl/gTJVlm
Participants will be given access to nearly thirty
Animoto videos that the facilitator has self-created
on:
 classic literature
 novellas
 poetry
 short stories
 writing process
 and other disciplines

8. ANIMOTO
Benefits:
 FREE 30-second videos
 Class accounts for educators
 Short-trailer style videos
 Images, music, and text can be included
 300+ songs in music library
 Customize videos to introduce or summarize class concepts
 Student engagement
 Videos are stored in the clouds
 Have permanent access to videos
 Can edit and share videos
Web Address: http://www.animoto.com/

9. VOICETHREAD
Benefits:
 Voice/video-based discussion boards
 Online group collaboration
 Can include audio and/or text
 http://goo.gl/iWEXkt
Web Address: https://voicethread.com

10. VOKI
 Benefits:
 Motivate your students
 Improve lesson comprehension
 FREE 60 second message
 Create, save, and edit message
 Online message posting
 Audio learning objectives and/or homework reminders
 Great for blended, F2F, and online courses
 Choose from 200 avatar characters and customize it with
accessories and background settings
 Choose voice options, i.e., audio file, computer text,
microphone recording, or phone call-in
 http://goo.gl/3Z6P7f
Web Address: http://www.voki.com/

11. WORDS OF
 The technologies explored promote:
 active and independent learning
 application
 creativity
 critical thinking
 problem solving
 reflection and not mere comprehension
 student engagement
 Word of Caution: Soft skills need to be addressed
when technologies are used, e.g., time management
skills. There are countless technologies and distractions
on the internet. If students are not instructor-guided
and/or focused, then tons of unproductive time can be
spent on the web with no intellectual gains.

12. EVALUATION
Please use this link to evaluate this presentation.
Double click once it opens and write an evaluative phrase, sentence, or paragraph.
http://goo.gl/A4fYRs