Voice Thread and Social Constructivism

Voice Thread
This week I learned about social learning and Voice Threads (https://voicethread.com). Voice Threads is a great social networking tool that was new for me this week. Voice Threads extends the learning with interactive multimedia. The technology is accessible because viewers can comments about the construction of content. They can make meaning of what is being taught and work collaboratively with one another. By providing technology and social learning, authentic learning occurs and students are engaged in constructing meaning of the content.

I created a Voice Thread about the events leading up to the American Revolutionary War. At the end of this voice thread my students will have two assignments. The conflict that my students will debate is the Tories or Loyalists vs. the Patriots. Only 1/3 of the Colonists were Patriots, those who fought for freedom from Great Britan. Others, like Katie from our story Katie's Trunk were Loyalists. Katie has a problem with her neighbors, former friends. My students will create a concept map with solutions to her problem. The 2nd assignment my students will do is view podcasts from the Revolution. They will post your voice reactions to the podcasts. My students will explore my voice thread. At the end they will go listen to Revolutionary podcasts from http://www.ouramericanrevolution.org. They will view podcasts on the website about the Revolutionary War and leave their voice reactions to two of the podcasts. What other events should I add to make my podcast more interactive for my fifth grade students? What other follow up activities would you suggest I add? Let me know what you think.

Social Constructivism
Social learning theories support our classroom-learning environment in the 21st century. Dr. Orey discusses that social learning theory is a way in which students collaborate in learning (Dr. Orey, 2009). Students construct meaning and are engaged in conversations with others regarding the curriculum. (Laureate Education, Inc. 2009). Cognitive tools perspective focuses on the learning of cognitive skills and strategies. Students engage in those social learning activities that involve hands-on project-based methods and utilization of discipline-based cognitive tools (Gredler, 1997; Prawat & Folden, 1994).

I support social learning theory as an educator. I think it is essential that our twenty-first century students know how to interact with one another. Interpersonal skills are one of the most critical skills that our students need to thrive in the 21st Century. Students need to construct meaning through interactions with others and through their environments. Dr. Michael Orey commented that educators build learning in their environments with students and active engagement occurs when there is collaboration amongst students (Dr. Orey, 2009).

Social learning theories influence activities, lessons, and cooperative learning. In order to be successful in the 21st century classroom, we need to promote cooperative learning through the use of technology. Blogs, Wikis, and Voice Threads are a perfect way to have social learning and technology integrated into a classroom setting. They provide students with high interest. It is a way in getting kids to write something and the technology motivates them. Our students are digital natives and technology tools are an important part of them. Blogs, Wikis, and Voice Threads are social networking tools because students are required to interact with group members.


Gredler, Prawat & Folden. (1994 and 1997). Social Constructivism. In Intersubjectivity of Social Meanings. Retrieved July 26, 2011, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Social_Constructivism.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Program number 9: Social learning theories [DVD]. Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author. (2005). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.