Voice thread:   

The tool that I loved the most and cannot wait to really play with is called, VoiceThread (http://voicethread.com/).  It combines all of the collaboration tools that I liked and took it beyond those by adding a nice audio component so that it would appeal to most people.  There are so many ways to use this tool, that I am left feeling the same anxiety of not being able to fully explain it without a lengthy expository.  -- Kelly Ford

**Thank goodness I created my own wiki so that I knew I could add the direct link in edit mode, rather than the cut and paste method! Here is the direct link to my voicethread:  http://voicethread.com/share/425282/  Sorry about the comment down below that I didn't have to add! Oh well...live and learn - KF

Voki:

I just discovered another fun tool where you select your own Avatar, clothing, background, 60 second voice recording, with voice-changing characteristics if you want (or add your own voice but, it does sound rather mechanical even with a good microphone), and then upload to embed into your project.  I found this while exploring the PBWorksManual link on my new Wiki sites.  I had trouble getting back into my account after I signed up for it but I suppose it will be remedied once I reboot my computer (Internet Explorer crashed while I was working on the Voki so it may have caused problems).  Try it out for yourself -go to http://www.voki.com/. KF