3.+-+The+Basics

The Basics

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toc

=1. Creating an Account:=
 * 1) Visit www.ed.voicethread.com and click "Sign In or Register"
 * 2) Complete the necessary fields
 * 3) Once your account is created/you are signed in, you will be brought back to the homepage. Click your E-mail address (where the sign in button was originally located) and then "Account Information"
 * 4) Click "View Upgrade Options," then " K12 Educators," and then "Single Educator License." Then scroll to the bottom of the page and "Apply" for a free VT Educator Account and complete the necessary fields. You will then have to log in to your e-mail account to confirm your registration.


 * Creating an Identity:
 * 1) Click the " Create" tab. You will see your e-mail address and an arrow icon in the right-hand corner of the screen. Click the arrow icon and then " My Identities ."
 * 2) Add 3 identities -- name and choose a different icon for each.

The Parking Lot Visit @The Parking Lot and record any questions, comments, ideas, or a-has up to this point.

=2. Creating a VT:=
 * 1) Click the "Create" tab and begin uploading content.
 * 2) You may upload pictures, PDF files, Powerpoint slides, Microsoft Word documents, Excel Spreadsheets, and videos. You may even import photos from Flickr, Facebook, or anywhere on the internet!
 * 3) Uploading a file from your computer:
 * 4) Click "Upload", then "My Computer" . Locate the file(s) you would like to include, click on the file, and it will upload.
 * 5) Uploading a file from a Media Source (Other VTs, Flickr, Facebook, or the Free Public Library):
 * 6) Click "Upload", then "Media Sources" . Select the media source you would like to use, login to your account (if necessary), and select photos to upload.
 * 7) Uploading a file from a URL (web address):
 * 8) Locate a picture from that web. I prefer using Google Images to locate image files.
 * 9) Click "Upload", then "URL" . Copy and paste the web address into the URL pop up. A green check mark will appear if the URL is accepted.
 * 10) Uploading a file from a webcam:
 * 11) Click "Upload", then "My Webcam" . If a pop-up appears asking for access to your webcam, you must allow it to take a picture or video. If you do not have a webcam, you can upload picture and video files as described above.

>> >> *Helpful Hints*
 * You may rearrange uploaded content (Pictures, PDF Files, Videos, etc.) with a simply click and drag on your "Create" page.
 * To remove a file, click the file on your "Create" page and it will appear on the left-hand side of the page. You will see a garbage-can icon -- click this and your file will be removed.
 * Name your VT by clicking "Add a title and description" under the "Create" tab

Parking Lot

Visit @The Parking Lot and record any questions, comments, ideas, or a-has up to this point. __Status Check!__ Throughout the training, we will do frequent status checks -

**//A. I feel comfortable to forge ahead independently! //** **//B. I’m okay, but need support during the activity. //** **//C. STOP! I’m baffled! One-on-one instruction please! //** Vote via the widget or through this link: [] media type="custom" key="10120607"

__ACTIVITY __
 * Bronze - Create your 1st VT -- Pick a theme (Whatever you like!), create and upload a Word Document title page, upload 3 picture files from your computer and 2 from the Free Public Library (under Media Sources). Arrange your photos in a logical order and name your VT.


 * Silver - Do ALL of the above in addition to adding a powerpoint presentation that introduces each of the five pictures.


 * Gold - Do ALL of the above in addition to adding a picture from either Flickr or Facebook and adding an image via a URL.

=3. Adding Comments:= >>> > <span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: left;">*Helpful Hints*
 * 1) Be sure you are working under the "Create" tab to access the comment feature. Click the image within your VT where you would like to record a comment. The image will be outlined in gold once it is selected.
 * 2) Click "Comment" and your image will appear in the center of the screen.
 * 3) To add an **Audio Comment,**
 * 4) click "Comment" and then the " Record" button located on the comment bar below your selected VT image. If a pop-up requests access to your microphone, click "allow." When you have finished recording, click "Stop Recording." Your audio comment will playback to you -- you may either click "Save," "Cancel" to record another version, or "Record More " to add on to your initial recording. Once you click "Save ", your commenting identity icon will appear on the side of the image.
 * 5) You may create an elongated comment that travels throughout your VT as well. To do this, repeat the above step and simply click the right/left arrow icons within the comment bar to progress through the slides as you record a comment.
 * 6) To add a **Text Comment,**
 * 7) click "Comment" and then the " Type" button located on the comment bar. Type your text in the comment bubble that appears above your identity icon. When you have finished typing, click "Save." Your text comment will be saved and your identity icon will appear to the side of the image. By clicking the play icon on the comment bar, all audio and text comments will appear in sequence. You may also click the identity icons to view/listen to comments.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You may change your identity as you comment. Click the identity icon that appears in the comment bar to switch identities.

<span style="background-color: #72c3fa; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 32px; text-align: center;">Parking Lot

Visit @The Parking Lot and record any questions, comments, ideas, or a-has up to this point. <span style="background-color: #f9ac97; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 27px; text-align: center;">__Status Check!__

**//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">A. I feel comfortable to forge ahead independently! //** **//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">B. I’m okay, but need support during the activity. //** **//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">C. STOP! I’m baffled! One-on-one instruction please! //**

Vote via the widget or through this link: [] media type="custom" key="10120609"

<span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: center;">__<span style="background-color: #00ff00; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">ACTIVITY __
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Bronze - Access your VT via the "My Voice" tab. Click the Menu wheel in the top left-hand corner of the VT, and select "Edit." Add text comments to 2 slides and add audio comments to 3 slides with one identity.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Silver - Do ALL of the above in addition to adding an elongated audio comment and 2 additional text comments using a second identity


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Gold - Do ALL of the above in addition to adding a second elongated audio comment that progresses through the VT in both forward and backward motions, using the third identity.

=4. Doodling Comments:=

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>
 * 1) In addition to adding audio and text comments, you may doodle on your slides to highlight and augment information within your VT.
 * 2) Be sure you are working under the "Create" tab to access the comment feature. Click the image within your VT where you would like to doodle. The image will be outlined in gold once it is selected.
 * 3) Click "Comment" and your image will appear in the center of the screen. Click the " Type" button located on the comment bar. When moving your cursor over the VT image, you will notice it changes from an arrow to a pen. Select a color from the color wheel on the comment bar. **Please note that by selecting a color from the outer ring of the color wheel, the doodle will fade and disappear after a short time. To avoid the disappearing act, click the inner circle on the color wheel.
 * 4) Deleting a doodle is a bit trickier. You must select the Identity in the sidebar after a doodle is made and delete from there.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: left;">*Helpful Hints*
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you want some doodle to fade and others to remain, create a new comment for each.

<span style="background-color: #72c3fa; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 32px; text-align: center;">Parking Lot

Visit @The Parking Lot and record any questions, comments, ideas, or a-has up to this point.

<span style="background-color: #f9ac97; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 27px; text-align: center;">__Status Check!__

**//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">A. I feel comfortable to forge ahead independently! //**

**//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">B. I’m okay, but need support during the activity. //**

**//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">C. STOP! I’m baffled! One-on-one instruction please! //** Vote via the widget or through this link: []

media type="custom" key="10120611"

<span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: center;">__<span style="background-color: #00ff00; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">ACTIVITY __


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Bronze -Open your existing VT. Create one fading doodle per slide and then create a single doodle that does not fade.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Silver - Do the above with one identity and then replicate it with a second identity.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Gold - Do all of the above and then replicate it with a third identity.

=5. Playback & Publishing Options:=

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 * 1) Be sure you are working under the "Create" tab to access the playback and publishing options. In the bottom left-hand corner of the screen, you will see four tabs. Click "Playback Options", specify your preferences, and click " Save. "
 * 2) Then, click "Publishing Options", specify your preferences, and click "Save."

= = =6. Sharing:=
 * 1) All VTs begin completely private. You must share them with others to allow them to view and comment.
 * 2) To share via a link:
 * 3) Be sure you are working under the "Create" tab to access the sharing options. Click the "Share" tab and then "Get a link." A pop-up will appear where you can specify if you want participants to simply view or to be able to comment as well in addition to setting comment moderation and placing your VT on the Browse page. Set your preference, click " Copy the Link" and then paste this link in an e-mail to those you would like access the VT.
 * 4) To share with contacts:
 * 5) Be sure you are working under the "Create" tab to access the sharing options. Click the "Share" tab and then the "Add+" tab. Add the contact information for those with whom you would like to share your VT. By adding tags such as "colleagues", "friends", "family", etc. you will be able to send to groups more efficiently in the future. (After inviting a contact, you may have to refresh your screen to see this individual appear on your contacts list.)
 * 6) Once individuals are in your contacts list, you may select those with whom you would like to share and specify accessibility for each (View, Comment, and Editing Rights). After you have selected contacts and have given accessibility permissions, click "Send Invite."

<span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: left;">*Helpful Hints*
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You are able to collaborate on a VT by inviting a contact and giving him/her editing rights. Two+ brains!
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have a school website, blog, or even paper newsletters/fliers, provide users with the link to a VT. High and low tech options!

<span style="background-color: #72c3fa; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 32px; text-align: center;">Parking Lot

Visit @The Parking Lot and record any questions, comments, ideas, or a-has up to this point.

<span style="background-color: #f9ac97; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 27px; text-align: center;">__Status Check!__

**//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">A. I feel comfortable to forge ahead independently! //**

**//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">B. I’m okay, but need support during the activity. //**

**//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">C. STOP! I’m baffled! One-on-one instruction please! //** Vote via the widget or through this link: [] media type="custom" key="10120613"

<span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: center;">__<span style="background-color: #00ff00; color: #000000; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 36px;">ACTIVITY __

Today's contact list: (**This link will be disabled after the training)**

//(Be sure to form partnerships with those within the same level)**//
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">Bronze -Access today's contact list( linked above) and add these individuals to your VT contact list. Share the link for your sample VT with a partner and provide accessibility rights (viewing only). The partner should then access your VT and view it.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">Silver -Do the above, but share your sample VT with 3 others and provide accessibility rights (viewing and commenting). Those with whom you share your VT should view it and provide at least one audio and text comment.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">Gold -Do the above, but share your sample VT with 3 others and provide full accessibility rights (viewing, commenting, and editing). Those with whom you share your VT should view it, provide at least one audio and text comment, AND add a slide at the end of the VT.

<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 300%;">And there you have it! VoiceThread!