Overview of VoiceThread

VoiceThread is a tool for engaging students in asynchronous media-rich conversations via text, audio and video that can be integrated into Canvas at UMass Amherst. For more about VoiceThread, visit voicethread.com

Add VoiceThread to your Canvas Course

Adding a VoiceThread to the Modules section

1. Navigate to the “Modules” area of you course.
2. Find the module to which you’d like to add VoiceThread, and click the “Add Content” button.
3. Select “External Tool” from the menu.
4. Select “VoiceThread” from the list of tools.

This will launch the VoiceThread Setup Page. Proceed to the instructor support page for details about what comes next.

Adding a VoiceThread Assignment

1. Navigate to the “Assignments” area of your course.
2. Create a new assignment.
3. Name the assignment and write a description.
4. Under Submission Type, select “External Tool”.
5. Select the “Find” button.
6. Select “VoiceThread” on the list of tools.

This will launch the VoiceThread Setup Page. Proceed to the instructor support page for details about what comes next.

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Creating Content in VoiceThread

In VoiceThread you can Create an Ungraded VoiceThread Link, Add Media to VoiceThread and Comment on VoiceThread.

Create an Ungraded VoiceThread Link

1. Follow the steps above to create a link in Modules or as an assignment. Select the newly created VoiceThread link. A popup page will open.
2. Select Individual VT.
3. Select one of your previously created VoiceThreads. If you have not yet created a VoiceThread, choose Create new VoiceThread. To add Media or Comments to your VoiceThread, continue to Adding Media in VoiceThread and Adding Comments on VoiceThread.
4. Click Share with Class.

Creating a Graded VoiceThread Link

In VoiceThread you can use Assignment Builder to create a graded VoiceThread link for students to complete. Through the Assignment Builder you can require the students to create a VoiceThread of their own to submit, to comment on a VoiceThread you’ve created, or simply to watch a VoiceThread start to finish.

1. Follow the steps above to create a VoiceThread assignment.
2. Next, select the newly created VoiceThread link. A new tab will open and display a white screen with the text "You will be directed to the application momentarily...".
3. Choose Assignment Builder. The Select a type of Assignment page will open.
4. On the Select a type of Assignment page click on any an assignment type to configure it. The assignments that you can create in VoiceThread are: Create a VoiceThread, Submit a Comment or Watch a VoiceThread.
5. After you’ve selected the type of assignment you’d like to create, you’ll be walked through the steps to complete the setup process. For information on grading assignments in VoiceThread, please see Grading student work.

Adding Media in VoiceThread

Building a VoiceThread starts with adding media. Media can include images, PDF documents, PPTX slides, and videos. For instructions, and imagery that will guide you through the process of adding media to a presentation in VoiceThread, please see the video on how to Add Media to VoiceThread. 

1. Click Add Media or drag and drop files from your computer.
2. In most cases you will select My Computer to browse for media already on your computer. Selecting Media Sources will allow you to add media from Khan Academy, Flickr, and the New York Public Library. You can also take a webcam photo or video. To add a URL, enter the web address of an image stored on a webpage (addresses of images will end in the image file format such as .png or .jpg).
3. Browse and select the desired media on your computer. 
4. Enter a VoiceThread title and optional description, and click Save. 
5. Continue to Comment on your VoiceThread. 

Note: Information on adding media to VoiceThread presentations from the student perspective can be found on the Add Media to VoiceThread Student Orientation and Resource page. Please share this resource with your students.

Adding Comments in VoiceThread

There are several commenting options in VoiceThread:

• Text
• Audio from a microphone
• Audio from a telephone
• Upload audio or video from a pre-recorded file
• Video from a webcam

For instructions, and imagery that will guide you through the process of commenting on a VoiceThread presentation, please see the video on How to comment on VoiceThread.

1. If building a new presentation, select Comment next click the commenting plus sign. 
   If you are working on an existing VoiceThread, click the commenting plus sign. 

2. Select your desired comment format. 

Note: Information about commenting on VoiceThread presentations from the student perspective can be found on the Comment on VoiceThread Student Orientation and Resource page. Please share this resource with your students.

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More Help with VoiceThread

For more help with VoiceThread, see VoiceThread How-to.