Disclosure: Volley is an advertiser on FreeTech4Teachers.com
On the finish of 2021 an outdated buddy from the early days of Free Know-how for Lecturers launched me to a brand new dialog platform known as Volley. I preferred it a lot that I included Volley in my Better of the Internet 2021 webinar. So now that you recognize I’m enthusiastic about it, let’s check out what Volley is and the way it may be utilized in college settings.
What’s it?
In my webinar final month I described Volley as “Flipgrid meets Slack.” However that description doesn’t precisely convey all that Volley does.
At its core Volley is a cell and desktop utility for video messaging with members of a bunch. Nevertheless, those that are digital camera shy can use Volley with out turning on their cameras. You need to use Volley to file and share screencasts with out turning in your digital camera. Moreover, Volley provides choices for audio and textual content messaging. And should you’d wish to have a dialog a couple of doc, you’ll be able to share the file with others in your group. So as to add somewhat enjoyable to your Volley conversations, use the library of GIFs to work together with members of your Volley teams.
One of many options of Volley that I actually recognize is {that a} written transcript is robotically generated for each video and audio message. The transcript is nice for making the dialog accessible to those that have issue listening to what’s being stated in a Volley dialog.
How does it work?
To get began utilizing Volley it’s good to set up it in your cell system (iOS or Android) or in your pc (Home windows or Mac). When you’ve put in the app, register and also you’ll be welcomed with a video introduction from Volley’s CEO, Josh Little. You may reply to Josh with a video or audio message, should you’d like.
You may manage conversations on Volley into areas. An area permits you to collect individuals collectively in a single place. Inside an area you’ll be able to create channels (that are open and discoverable) and conversations (that are non-public and invite-only). You may create as many areas and invite as many individuals as you need. By default you’ll have an area named after you (mine is Richard’s House and you’ll be a part of it right here) and you’ll create as many extra areas as you need. Briefly, consider areas in Volley as lecture rooms or teams. Channels are conversations inside a Volley house. For instance, I created a Volley house for my Junk-free January problem and inside that house I created three channels; every day help, random, and welcome.
Watch this quick video to see how Volley works.
How can or not it’s utilized in academic settings?
The training web page on Volley’s web site suggests a handful of ways in which one may use Volley for academic functions. Earlier than I even noticed that web page I believed that Volley could possibly be nice for extending classroom conversations and for offering a help or a tutorial assist discussion board for courses.
A “persevering with classroom dialogue” channel in your classroom Volley house could possibly be nice for giving college students the chance to take part in discussions even when they weren’t current in school. Moreover, college students who didn’t get sufficient time to speak throughout a category dialogue would profit from having the ability to share extra of their ideas. You possibly can additionally use this channel as a spot to publish exit ticket prompts to your college students to reply to. Right here’s an inventory of a few of my favourite exit ticket prompts.
In this quick video I show how one can create educational assist and persevering with classroom dialogue channels in a Volley classroom house.
Within the context {of professional} growth, Volley could possibly be an amazing resolution for faculties. Tech coaches and educational coaches can use Volley to create on-line areas through which college members can ask questions and take part in discussions about finest practices for utilizing know-how of their lecture rooms.
Right here’s somewhat video I made to indicate how I’d arrange a Volley house for skilled growth.
One other means to consider utilizing Volley for skilled growth is to have a principal or different college chief might create a Volley house for workers. Then inside that house create channels in response to grade stage, topic space, or some other standards for skilled studying communities. Lecturers can then share what’s working of their lecture rooms or ask for recommendation in an space they need assistance with (I’d keep away from discussing particular college students). You may even simply have a “random” or “enjoyable” channel for workforce constructing.
Get Began!
For highschool, school, {and professional} studying settings, Volley has a ton of potential for good. I’m excited to see extra lecturers use it. And should you simply need to strive it your self earlier than inviting your class or colleagues, be a part of me on Volley and ask me a query or simply say hi there.