The efficacy of using VoiceThread as a formative assessment tool and a way to foster a greater sense of online course community in a hybrid geoscience course

Abstract

VoiceThread replaced traditional PowerPoint lecture notes and discussion forums in the online component of a hybrid geoscience general education course. This technology facilitated a greater sense of course community and instructor presence, which increased student engagement and learning. The ability to make comments using various text and audio capabilities around visual media improved student-teacher and student-student interactions. Audio capabilities were not well utilized by students but students appreciated the instructor audio comments and feedback. Student comments on VoiceThread enabled the instructor to have a clearer understanding of student learning and misconceptions, which was then used to plan interventions and modifications in learning strategies.