Tuesday Teacher Tips
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
What is Voxer?
Just in case you missed our Power Lunch session on Voxer - the old school way to keep in touch with your 21st Century School, I've got plenty of resources here for you to browse.
Voxer is a "walkie-talkie" style app that might remind some of you of those big yellow Nextel phones from the 90s. It allows you to communicate with another individual, or a group though voice, text, images and now video.
Users can also go "Pro" for the ability to talk in "real time" and add over 15 people to a group chat.
Voxer is a "walkie-talkie" style app that might remind some of you of those big yellow Nextel phones from the 90s. It allows you to communicate with another individual, or a group though voice, text, images and now video.
Users can also go "Pro" for the ability to talk in "real time" and add over 15 people to a group chat.
Crash Course Handout
Voxer in the iOS App Store
EdTech Tuesday: Voxer Video
EdTech Tuesday: Voxer
Voxer and Privacy
This service is intended for an audience of people aged 13 and up. As part of your profile other users can see your profile picture, name and city. By default Voxer allows your location to be shared and "privacy mode" is disabled. You will want to set those to a privacy level that suits your needs.
Even if you don't plan on using this app with your own family, it's worth a look to check out the article "9 Facts Parents Should Know About the Voxer App" for your own information.
- Disable location services in Voxer under Settings >> My account details
- Privacy mode means that users can only search you by your provided email address - not your handle or your name. This is not as important unless you are helping someone under the age of 18 establish an account.
- Block or delete someone you don't know by going to: Contacts >> Person's Name>> Block
Even if you don't plan on using this app with your own family, it's worth a look to check out the article "9 Facts Parents Should Know About the Voxer App" for your own information.
Voxer and Notifications
Manage the way you hear and see notifications for Voxer under your settings.
In the app - with an individual chat open choose the "phone" icon to hear the Voxer messages either through your "iPhone Speaker" (for everyone to hear) or through your "phone" so that you have to put your ear up to it to hear. This is probably the best alternative if using throughout the day.
In your phone's settings - Choose notifications - you may decide to show that you have a message on your lock screen so that you can stay on top of messages coming in, especially if you keep your phone on silent.
Silencing your phone will silence the indicator tone when you receive a new message if you do not have the chat open. If you have a chat open, even if your phone is on silent you will hear indicator tones and voice recordings.
In the app - with an individual chat open choose the "phone" icon to hear the Voxer messages either through your "iPhone Speaker" (for everyone to hear) or through your "phone" so that you have to put your ear up to it to hear. This is probably the best alternative if using throughout the day.
In your phone's settings - Choose notifications - you may decide to show that you have a message on your lock screen so that you can stay on top of messages coming in, especially if you keep your phone on silent.
Silencing your phone will silence the indicator tone when you receive a new message if you do not have the chat open. If you have a chat open, even if your phone is on silent you will hear indicator tones and voice recordings.
Using Voxer as part of your Professional Practice
Many educators are already using Voxer for everything from keeping up with their team to having book discussions.
Check out the post "How Voxer Changed my Personal and Professional Life" by Angela Watson. In the blog post, Watson covers all the things you're probably already thinking - like why do I need one more messaging service and why would I want to listen to a bunch of voice mails?
If you think you might be interested in joining in a professional community already using Voxer, check out Cybraryman's Voxer page, which includes links to #EduVoxer PLN list and a list of Voxer Groups. You also may want to check out the #eduvoxer hashtag on Twitter for more ideas and ways to connect.
In our Session today we discussed the possibility of using Voxer to communicate to others if there are lab issues to be aware of (plug in updates etc), and to communicate with each other during drills or emergencies.
If you do get into Voxing for a purpose with your Team or other members of your professional learning network, it would be important to engage in a few best practices. Tammi Neil outlines a few in her blog post "Voxer: My Own Best Practices".
Check out the post "How Voxer Changed my Personal and Professional Life" by Angela Watson. In the blog post, Watson covers all the things you're probably already thinking - like why do I need one more messaging service and why would I want to listen to a bunch of voice mails?
If you think you might be interested in joining in a professional community already using Voxer, check out Cybraryman's Voxer page, which includes links to #EduVoxer PLN list and a list of Voxer Groups. You also may want to check out the #eduvoxer hashtag on Twitter for more ideas and ways to connect.
In our Session today we discussed the possibility of using Voxer to communicate to others if there are lab issues to be aware of (plug in updates etc), and to communicate with each other during drills or emergencies.
If you do get into Voxing for a purpose with your Team or other members of your professional learning network, it would be important to engage in a few best practices. Tammi Neil outlines a few in her blog post "Voxer: My Own Best Practices".
A few more ways to use it: Using Voxer to Streamline School Communication
Johnson Library
Questions or Comments -or to be added to (or deleted from) our Tuesday Teacher Tips list, email me at the address below.
Email: heidi.neltner@fortthomas.kyschools.us
Twitter: @heidinelt