Using Discussions (Multimedia)

Web Tool:

Industry:

Pipeline Reactions

“Pipeline Reactions” is an activity that utilizes Voicethread.com (group audio blog) to facilitate and document on-line discussion and reactions to reading a newspaper article.

Outcomes:

The learner will be able to:

  • Develop vocabulary and summarize
  • Find main idea in reading in a newspaper article
  • Identify issues from the reading

Preparation:

  • Note instructor needs to create 2 voicethread activity pages online
    • One for the practice posting vocabulary words
    • One for posting the issues as found in the article
  • Discuss the importance of planning, including editing long before learners sit down to 'publish' their ideas

Delivery:

  1. Warm-Up
    • Teach the tool if necessary
    • Explain that this tool can transform collections of media, like images, videos, documents, and presentations, into a place for a conversation
  2. Presentation
    • Show voicethread page created for this activity indicating how to post vocabulary words
  3. Practice
    • Find and read a newspaper article about the keystone pipeline and American opposition
    • Underline or highlight the main idea, 5 vocabulary words
      • Post vocabulary words on "Practice voicethread page"
    • Identify issues stated in article (divide class into pairs)
    • Make a bulleted list of issues compiled from the group and post on the voicethread page
  4. Production
    • Discuss in pairs, then in larger groups the issues surrounding the topic
    • Post responses to article on Voicethread by speaking or writing in the comments section

The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) skills addressed by this activity are:

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing