From the ‘news good enough to blog’ department: During a recent status call with VoiceThread, they finally gave us the OK to discuss in the blogosphere that this summer they will be releasing a demo version of VoiceThread that runs on iOS. That’s right, VoiceThread, that Flash-based web application, will very soon be available as an app on the iPad. And iPhone. And iPod. I have not seen it yet but the implications are interesting. For one, VoiceThread has clearly had to redesign their product for the iOS platform. I’m sure it won’t look like the existing browser version but the early word is that it’s a good user experience. That “word” comes from VoiceThread themselves but they are indeed quite giddy over there about it and the enthusiasm was infectious. Their current plan is to have it available before the Fall 2011 semester begins.
Demo of VoiceThread on iPad at Learning Design Summer Camp 2011!
VoiceThread also committed to providing Penn State a demo version of the VoiceThread app in time to show it at
Learning Design Summer Camp on July 21. Looking very forward to it.
Thoughts on Impact
Clearly, VoiceThread knew they needed a presence on the iPad due to it’s widespread adoption at all levels of education. But what does it’s availability on the iOS really mean? Initially, I think the biggest and most immediate impact will be in K-12 rather than in higher education due to two main factors in K-12:
1) VoiceThread is already more adopted in that market and
2) iPads are also being adopted for student use at a rapid pace.
As for higher education, I think there will be an initial interest in it by the iPad early adopter faculty members, even the ones who have not yet tried VoiceThread. They may see it as a ‘cool’ app to try and perhaps be pulled into using it in their course.
The bigger question is around what it will mean for students in higher education. Based upon some casual observation, I’m not sure about student adoption of iPads and iPod Touches. But those same casual observations indicate there are a lot of students using iPhones and it seems this would be the natural touch-point on the student end for the iOS version of VoiceThread. That being said, will the app be a rich enough experience for students to want to use it on such a small form factor? Opinions will form quickly upon the actual release and use of the app but it’s never too early to begin thinking about it. After all, summers always seem to pass by in a flash.
