FTT - Using Mote for Voice Notes

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Using Mote For Voice Notes 

@LisaBerghoff/@MrKimDHS

It's funny how quickly we have become accustomed to technology that helps us communicate. The first iPhone was released just 14 years ago. Google Docs was initially released 15 years ago. Doesn't seem like we've been using these forever? It's fascinating to me to look at the shows that I watched when I was a kid because so many of them predicted what the future would look like and some were not so far off. Being able to communicate while seeing each other through screens, talking through watches, seeing real-time webcam footage via the tiniest handheld devices are some capabilities that seemed like a dream way back when. And yet, there are still features that we wish we had. There is always a list of ideas, capabilities, apps and software that are headed our way. 

One of the features that has been on my wish list for a long time is the ability to give voice comments in 
Google docs. Working with students who struggle with reading, writing, and language in general has given me a new perspective on these feature requests. If my students can't or won't read my feedback, what good does it do to spend so much time giving it to them? Especially now that we're all using our devices so much more and for so many tasks, the ability to use voice messages is so important. 

Mote is a Chrome extension that makes it easy for anyone to add voice notes and feedback to Google documents, slides, spreadsheets, and emails. A tool like Mote makes it easier to give feedback faster and may even make it more accessible for more students to receive feedback. Using your voice instead of typing is also more personal because the students will be hearing your voice. Tone can be hard to detect with text based comments and using your voice can help make your feedback more clear to students. And where to begin with email!? So many emails are misunderstood because of tone that is missing in text based emails. With Mote you can include a voice message and eliminate so much miscommunication. 

This is a freemium tool, meaning there is a free version and a paid version. I have been using the free version and I have found it to be more than adequate.  Here is the pricing information. With the free version you get unlimited mote voice notes and feedback, you can listen to unlimited voice notes, add voice notes to Google slides, gmail and more. You get 30 seconds of recording time for each voice note. 

• To get started, grab the extension from the chrome web store. 
• You will sign in using your Google credentials and give it permission to run.
• Then, all you need to do is highlight some text and click to open a comments box. You will see the Mote icon and when you click on it the voice recorder will open. Go ahead and speak your message. 
• The very first time you use Mote you will need to allow it access to your microphone. To listen to the comments, click the play button.

Here's a 1 minute video showing how it works:

Ready to give Mote a try? Let us know if you would like some help. 

What are some other future technology features that you would love to see become a reality?