{"id":1424,"date":"2011-11-08T05:44:22","date_gmt":"2011-11-08T12:44:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/learningtech\/?p=1424"},"modified":"2011-11-08T09:27:37","modified_gmt":"2011-11-08T16:27:37","slug":"cultivating-conversation-spoken-ink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/learningtech\/2011\/11\/cultivating-conversation-spoken-ink\/","title":{"rendered":"Cultivating Conversation – Spoken Ink"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Moving from the last post on\u00a0Reimagining Conversation<\/a><\/em>, I wanted to dig deeper into the importance of oral language as foundational to literacy development. We are creatures of connection and we use language to communicate our needs, ideas, feelings and discoveries. \u00a0The abilities to express ourselves grow over time and practice…lots of practice. \u00a0Yes, I know you’ve met those who seem to have an incredible command of spoken language. \u00a0But for most of us, it is through practice that we become comfortable with organizing our thoughts and articulating it in such a way that lead to understandings.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0“art of speaking and listening”<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0plays a critical role in the development of writing and reading skills. \u00a0 How do we effectively provide the experiences and practices needed to truly strengthen this area? \u00a0One obvious way is to use technology as a vehicle. \u00a0The key would be to find a way to “say what we want\u00a0to\u00a0say, then freeze that in some way in order to reflect upon it, then change\/recreate it to give it deeper meaning”. \u00a0 So we’re after a device that\u00a0will\u00a0\"\"<\/a>‘record and freeze words in time’…hence\u00a0“spoken ink”<\/em>. \u00a0Using technology, we have many options that offer not only engagement but flexibility. \u00a0Consider the following as starting points for rethinking what we currently do.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Talking avatars:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>These are online and definitely engaging (visually, kinesthetically, musically, linguistically) and can\u00a0easily be embedded in blogs and wikis. \u00a0Further, avatars take the place of students and thus for the very shy student this is a definite plus. \u00a0Blabberize<\/a>,\u00a0Voki<\/a>, and\u00a0Build Your Wild Self<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0are sites that you can create or upload images and use them as voice recorders. Some of our teachers are already using them to share their weekly vocabulary content.<\/p>\n

Online Sound Recorders:<\/strong><\/em><\/span> \u00a0Vocaroo<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(simple), \u00a0AudioBoo<\/a><\/strong>, \u00a0Aviary’s Myna<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(audio editor like Audacity) are available audio recorders.<\/p>\n

On the Computer:<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
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