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Please note: Our documentation pages have been updated for VoiceThread's New Assignments, which will be activated at UMass Amherst on May 14th 2021. Please see the PDFs linked below for instructions prior to May 14th:
Create a Graded VoiceThread Discussion
Create a Presentation Assignment
Allow Commenters to Add Slides to a VoiceThread
Add Slides as a Commenter (PowerPoint or Image files)
Creating VoiceThread Sub-Groups
Adding ASR Captions to a VoiceThread Comment
VoiceThread
What is VoiceThread?
VoiceThread is a tool for creating interactive threaded discussions integrated into Moodle and Blackboard Learn. It is also a simple option for recorded student presentations. You can think of VoiceThread as a conversation around a slideshow of media files. These media files can be PDFs (you can export your PowerPoint or Keynote presentations to PDFs very simply), images, video files, audio files, and more. And you can mix the media so your VoiceThread could include , six presentation slides, four images, a video, and two more presentation slides at the end. Once Once you have your media, you add your own comments in voice (using you and your students can add comments using voice (through your computer’s microphone), video (using your computer’s webcam), or text formats (using the keyboard on your computer).
Why should I use VoiceThread?
VoiceThread gives instructors a tool to replicate and create robust and authentic activities. See the VoiceThread handout for more general information. View Getting Around in a VoiceThread for a description of each icon and button as well as keyboard shortcuts for using VoiceThreadTools that provide multiple options for presenting content in the online portion of courses is paramount. One such tool available to instructors and students at UMass Amherst is VoiceThread.
What can I do with VoiceThread in my class?
You can use VoiceThread in your course to:
- Allow yourself and students to introduce themselves with video and voice.
- Create and share narrated presentations.
- Simulate cases, debates, and other situations.
- Create audio or video announcements.
- Create multimedia presentations.
- Share videos, images, and documents and solicit feedback, questions, and analysis.
- Gather perspectives on a concept or idea.
- Practice skills or work through a case.
- Build a sense of community online.
Getting Started with VoiceThread
VoiceThread is integrated into Blackboard and Moodle and you do not need to create a separate VoiceThread account to use the tool. If you choose to use VoiceThread in your course, it is best to start off with an ungraded activity or assignment. These activities afford students the ability to practice and develop comfort and competency with the tool before completing activities intended for academic credit. We suggest introducing low-risk activities at the beginning of the semester such as a personal introduction before using it for graded assignments later in the semester.
**Please Note: We highly recommend using VoiceThread with Chrome or FireFox browsers to utilize all features correctly for both students and instructors.
Using VoiceThread with any other browsers will prevent your ability to use key features including commenting.
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Create an Ungraded VoiceThread Link
/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14191655
/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14189142
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Create a narrated presentation (lectures).
(for continuous screen capture presentations, see Echo360)
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Create an Ungraded VoiceThread Link
/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14191655
/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14189142
View all of these instructions on one page.
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/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14193689
/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14193677
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/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14453262
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14452824
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14451189
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/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14193659
/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14193637
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/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14452762
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14452793
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14451218
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14451189
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/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14451242
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14452793 (optional)
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/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14193659
/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14193637
Enter manual grade for all group members
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Group leader:
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14452762
/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14189083
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14453168
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14452793
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14451218
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14451189
Group members:
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14453168
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14452793
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14451189
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Comment Moderation
A VoiceThread can be set up so that comments are moderated. When comment moderation is enabled comments are kept hidden and are only visible to the person who created the VoiceThread.
Scenarios where comment moderation can be very useful, include public VoiceThreads, office hours or consultations or for individual assessments/critiques.
Create an Ungraded VoiceThread Link
/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14191655
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/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14453262
/wiki/spaces/UASO/pages/14452793
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/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14193689
Enable commenters to add slides to an existing VoiceThread
/wiki/spaces/MAR/pages/14189615
For additional topics, visit the VoiceThread How-to page, and select "VT in your Learning Management System".
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All Users Start Here:
View Getting Around in a VoiceThread for a description of each icon and button as well as keyboard shortcuts for using VoiceThread.
Check out the VoiceThread Digital Library for examples and ideas of how you can use VoiceThread in your class.
Creating VoiceThreads:
View Instructions for Creating a Home Link in Blackboard or Moodle. This will link your course to VoiceThread and allow you to create new VoiceThreads.
View step-by-step Instructions for Creating a VoiceThread from the VoiceThread Home page.
View Instructions for Creating an Ungraded VoiceThread Link in Blackboard or Moodle.
View Instructions for Creating a Graded Assignment Link in Blackboard or Moodle.
Accessibility in VoiceThread:
VoiceThread has a separate screen-reader accessible version called VoiceThread Universal, which can be used by students.
VoiceThread can support Closed Captions for Voice and Video Comments.
VoiceThread has several other Features Designed for Accessibility, such being designed to be low-bandwidth for students with inconsistent internet connections, and phone commenting for students without access to a microphone.
Documentation for Students:
Instructions on Submitting VoiceThread Assignments.
Tips for Troubleshooting Common Issues.