Getting Started with VoiceThread for Instructors


Table of Contents

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

Add a grading-related VoiceThread activity in Canvas

  1. Open your Canvas course page
  2. Select the Assignments link on the left side Course Navigation Menu.
  3. On the Assignments page, create a new Assignment by selecting the +Assignment button at the right side of the page.
  4. On the Assignment Settings page:
    1. Assignment Name: input the Assignment name.
    2. Points: input how many points you want to give.
    3. Submission Type: select External Tool, click on Find to locate and select VoiceThread.
  5. The Link Resource from the External tool page will open.
  6. Pick the Assignment Builder type and click on Continue to configure the settings. 
  7. Once you have configured the VoiceThread, choose Select on the Configure External tool popup.
  8. Save the assignment.

Add a VoiceThread activity in Canvas that's for participation and engagement only

We suggest you add the VoiceThread activity as an external tool in the module directly if you don't need to grade the VoiceThread.

  1. Open your Canvas course page
  2. Select the Modules link on the left side Course Navigation Menu
  3. On the Modules page, locate the module to which you would like to add the VoiceThread activity
  4. Within the module, 
    1. Click on the + icon
    2. Select External tool in the drop-down menu behind Add.
    3. Select VoiceThread from the list
  5. The VoiceThread window will pop up, pick the activity type you need and configure all the settings, click on Publish.
  6. The window will reload, click on the Add item button to save the changes. Remember to publish it within the module.

Create Content in VoiceThread

In VoiceThread, you can add media and comment.

Add Media in VoiceThread

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

Add Comments in VoiceThread

There are several commenting options in VoiceThread:

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

More Help with VoiceThread

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