Voice Thread is a wonderful Web 2.0 tool that has unlimited possibilities. While it is designed as a collaborative tool, I have only used it with my second graders, within our class. We have viewed the Voice Threads of other classes, but have not commented on them. I hope to have a collaborative project in the works soon. (Voice Thread for Educators has a one time fee of $10 and is well worth it!)

My 2nd graders have used Voice Thread to read and comment on Langston Hughes poems, and share what they know about geometric shapes. Parents have enjoyed these posts as well and now I look at every lesson as a possible Voice Thread opportunity! My friends on Twitter are also creating Voice Threads and we get ideas from each other. I decided to use the drawing feature with our Geometry Voice Thread after viewing the Matter Voice Thread by Mrs. Patterson’s Class.
Our Langston Hughes Voice Thread was inspired by many of the other Voice Threads I have found on Mrs. Patterson’s blog, as well as Mrs. Wojtera’s Famous American’s VT, An Abe Lincoln VT by Mrs. Diaz’s class, and Mrs. Shulman’s Many VT’s, here is a link to The Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch VT.
I needed to first give credit to the Voice Threads and teachers mentioned above, as they have inspired and challenged me to use this tool with my class and to find a way to share it and use it as a collaborative tool. ( I also wanted to have links to all of their wonderful VT’s in one place for easier access!)

There are many benefits to use VT. I know I have only scratched the surface. Here is what I have found thus far.
While one student is commenting, the other students are listening closely (they have work they should be doing, but can’t help pay attention to what is going on in the front of the room.)
The students will play the VT over and over at home, reinforcing the concept or material.
In order for a student to make a comment, they must somehow connect with the material. VT encourages the children to think differently and make those connections.
One student referenced a Langston Hughes poem at recess – he said the Rain kissed his cheek!
The students are proud of their work and share it with family and friends, again reinforcing the concepts.
The children are learning from each other! Even though we are not collaborating with another class, it is collaborative learning at the classroom level.

Here are the two Voice Threads created by my second graders. Enjoy!