No Voice

Last night's technology class encapsulated my mixed feelings about using technology in the classroom.   We learned about the website voicethread.com.  We used it to introduce ourselves to our classmates.    The website was easy to understand, and I quickly uploaded my slide (made in our previous class) to the website and began to speak about it into the microphone.  I was having a good time--excited that I could manipulate the technology.  My brain was already considering applications to my English classroom.  During my test recording I spoke clearly into the microphone and said, "This slide shows how totally cool I am."  Then I laughed at my hilarious sense of humor.  I played back my recording, giggled, and then attempted to record my "real" description.

I could not do it. 

Despite the fact that I followed the exact same steps that I had followed while making my test recording, I could not retrieve my "real" recording.  I tried several times, becoming more and more frustrated.  I tried a new microphone.  No luck.  Meanwhile, the class moved ahead.  I felt stressed because I could not complete the next assignment (commenting on my classmate's slides) with my voice.  I had to type the comments quickly, and I barely had time to look at them.  The class ended, and I left irritated at the computer.

Walking to my car, I reflected on how the class had made me feel.  I do enjoy learning new things, and I envision several lessons where I could use voicethread in my classroom.  It would help my kids feel like they were publishing their work.  They could share their work with their parents.  I see tremendous potential for my assignments.  However, my experience with the technology reminded me how frustrating it can be when technology doesn't "work."  I remember spending too much time in front of the classroom trying to get the TV to talk to the VCR player in years past. 

I like to know "why" things work or do not work.  There was no answer for me last night, and I did not have the time to figure it out.  Perhaps I simply needed to restart the computer.  Who knows.  In any case, the experience reinforced my mixed emotions about using technology in the classroom. 

Jess