During Fall Quarter 2010, I introduced Eyejot and VoiceThread as two video messaging opportunities for your online courses and additional ways to connect with your students. Today, I'd like to extend on this discussion of video and voice messaging by introducing you to a quick and easy video email messaging system called MailVu and an audio email messaging system called Vocaroo. Both of these tools are free to use and do not require any software downloads.
Some of the key features of MailVu are:
- Plays on most smart phones
- Video mails up to 10 minutes.
- Self-destruct after # of views
- Retract video email at will
- Send and Read notifications
- Video stored up to 365 days
- No account or downloads
And for Vocaroo it is simply the click of a button to record an audio message to then quickly and easily email to one or more recipients.
Click here to view a video tutorial I found online that explores both of these resources. The tutorial was created by a language professor so the focus is on using these tools as ways for students to practice their language skills and pronunciations for example, but I am certain either tool could serve a benefit in any online course of study.
I could see either being used as a way to connect directly with your own students on a weekly basis beyond simply a text email (for example, you could email the video or audio message to yourself first and then forward on to your students using a Group under Contacts within your email account that you would only need to create once at the beginning of the quarter). Or you could have students complete an assignment via a presentation format (video or audio in nature) to then be emailed to you. It could even be an assignment submission option rather than a specific requirement. Students love when they have assignment options.
I encourage you to check these two resources out and let me know what you think!
Have a great rest of the week! And as always, let me know if you have any questions.
Heather Thomton-Stockman
Online Instructional Specialist
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