Principle+1+-+Voicethread+vs.+Easy+Chirp

=Equitable use of tool by everyone, if not possible equivalent at least.= =Easy Chirp-=

Description
Easy Chirp was formerly named "Accessible Twitter". The online service is designed to be an optimized alternative of the main Twitter.com website in terms of accessibility. It works synchronously with Twitter, so if you write something in Easy Chirp it can be seen in the original version. It is exactly the same microblogging service but easy to use with a keyboard and screen reader.

Accessibility Testing Results
The site is extremely easy to use. Most accessibility evaluation tools detected zero accessibility errors although there were some language attributes missing. The site does not have a site map and this was picked up by one checker.

=Voicethread -=

Description
Users upload images which become simple slideshows called Threads. Users can comment on 'Threads' by recording their voice and/or doodling on the image. When the comment is played back, the doodle is drawn as it was by the user, showing the creation. Users can also comment with text and video.

Accessibility Testing Results
The registration process was difficult for the screen reader user (using NVDA) with a lack of labels. The CAPTCHA alternative was offered, the site was keyboard accessible and could be followed in text only mode. Page layout and zooming were good, clear and easy to ready. =Using VoiceThread in an online course from Professor Russ Meade=

Description
VoiceThread "humanizes" the on-line classroom experience. As a college Professor, I teach all over the US exclusively asynchronously. One of the drawbacks of online learning has always been that the student feels isolated and unconnected with either his or her classmates and the Professor. Online classes often unknowingly " dehumanize" individuals simply because they are reduced to an e-mail address without the " personal" closeness that often occurs in a synchronous class setting, Truly exemplary online classes require that the student interact between: An online Professors, we can naturally accomplish all of the above with the many Web 2.0 tools that are now available. I tested 10 different Web 2.0 tools. However none except VoiceThread accomplished my goals of a Web 2.0 tool that was: The below example and, more specifically, VoiceThread accomplished all of the above. The truly fascinating part of this initial experiment was that I made the Assignment optional! Though they received no credit, no extra points they all did it. In the example that follows I gave them a topic to debate and discuss and I was fascinated by not only the number of responses in 2 classes but their creativity in sending me back VoiceThreads.
 * The Student and the Course Content
 * The Student and his or her Classmates
 * The Student and the Professor
 * Easy to operate for both the student and the Professor
 * Free to all to use
 * Allows the creativity that one needs in this new age when facts are not as important as creativity.

Process/Assignment
I will be using VoiceThreads in all my classes. I will also be introducing the system to the colleges where I teach. Finally, I will be presenting an academic paper using VoiceThreads with the titled "Making Your Online Classes, Sing, Dance, Talk, and Talk Back."

Assignment
My goal in this beta test of the system was to see if my students would learn how to use the system, willingly post, and be able to use their creativity in not only their posts but also in their return VoiceThreads...

Challenges or setbacks
The entire prociess was simple and accomplished my goals and met expectations for a Web 2.0 tool.

Tips
Simply sit back, relax, and create!

Variations
Since the initial debate VoiceThread, I have created 20 others. I use VoiceThreads links to:
 * Have my students Introduce themselves to all in the class
 * Provide them with a Course Tour once they are in the class
 * Have students do a oral presentation on the subjects in my class
 * Debate and discuss all the issues in my class using their microphone or webcam

The VoiceThread
media type="custom" key="21054182"