VoiceThread is a learning tool for enhancing student engagement and online presence. With VoiceThread, instructors and/or students can create, share, and comment on images, Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, videos, audio files, documents, and PDFs, using microphone, webcam, text, phone, and audio-file upload. At CofC VoiceThread is an external tool that integrates into OAKS (D2L/Brightspace).

Uses:

  • presentations
  • online lectures
  • language and speech practice
  • online video discussion board
Important Browser Information

Browser requirements

  • Chrome and Firefox are fully supported. Make sure you are using the latest version.
  • Microsoft Edge and Safari can be used to open and view VoiceThreads but currently cannot be used for recording audio or video. If these browsers implement support for HTML5 in the future, audio and video recording in VoiceThread may be possible.
  • Internet Explorer does not support HTML5 and therefore cannot be used with VoiceThread.
Creating a Basic VoiceThread for Beginners

Basic VoiceThread for Faculty Text Tutorial

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM VOICETHREAD REGARDING YOUTUBE INTEGRATION:  The YouTube integration is working now, but it’s still intermittent because we’re (VOICETHREAD) relying on a third party that seems to have some issues. We are working on an alternative that will use true YouTube embeds so we are not susceptible to this type of unreliability. The tradeoff is that we won’t be able to strip off YouTube’s ads, but it will be a much more stable solution. I’ll let you know when this is done.

Types of Media Available in VoiceThread

Media Sources – allows you to use images already on the web.

  • No one file can be larger than 25MB for students (basic account).
  • You can add the following:
    • images – .jpg, .gif, .png, .bmp
    • audio – .mp3, .wav
    • video – .mp4 (h.264, 600x 450 is recommended)
    • documents – .doc/.docx, .pdf, .xls/.xlsx
    • presentations – .ppt/.pptx, .pdf
    • links to web files
    • recorded video from your webcam
  1. My VoiceThreads – allows you to reuse images that are part of one of your other VoiceThreads previously created.
  2. Flickr – allows you to use images you have already posted to Flickr. Note: it only allows you to view photos that are part of a set in Flickr.
  3. Google Drive – allows you to use files stored in your CofC Google Drive.
  4. New York Public Library – allows you to use images already uploaded and used in a VoiceThread created by the New York Public Library.
  5. Zoom – allows you to import recordings from Zoom into VT (up to six months old; edits do not copy, meaning if you edited your Zoom video, those cuts are not reflected in VT [you get the entire video]). A note: if you delete the recording from Zoom.us after sharing within a VT, the video will remain in VT (it creates a copy).
  6. Kaltura – Clicking on Media Sources allows you to add a recording you previously created in Kaltura.  
    • Click Kaltura  
    • Click Owned by me  This is the ONLY option you will see any recordings. 
    • Click on the Kaltura recording you want to use and click Import
    • Click OK
    • Click X in upper right to close the Media Sources page .  Here you will see the VoiceThread processing that recording. 

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON YOUTUBE INTEGRATION FROM VOICETHREAD:  The YouTube integration is working now (11/12/20), but it’s still intermittent because we’re (VOICETHREAD) relying on a third party that seems to have some issues. We are working on an alternative that will use true YouTube embeds so we are not susceptible to this type of unreliability. The tradeoff is that we won’t be able to strip off YouTube’s ads, but it will be a much more stable solution. I’ll let you know when this is done.

Adding a VoiceThread into OAKS

Adding VoiceThreads into OAKS News, Content, Discussions, etc.

  • Learn how to add a VoiceThread to your OAKS course in a way that all students can easily access them using the VoiceThread/OAKS integration.

 

Creating Graded VoiceThread Assignments (require to watch, post, create)

VoiceThread is a great tool that is integrated with OAKS (D2L/Brightspace) but few of us use it to it’s greatest potential.  With the integration you can quickly and easily add VoiceThreads to Content as well as ASSIGN students tasks such as to watch a VT, comment 2x on a VT, or create their own VT!  The grade can then be tied right to the OAKS Grade book.

 

updated: 4/20/2021

Creating a Collaborative Class VoiceThread Assignment

Creating an assignment where students add their own slide to a collective VoiceThread

We normally use VoiceThread (VT) to record lectures and occasionally allow students to comment or ask questions.  But what about creating a single VT where all your students actually contribute the content?  For example, instead of having every student create their own VoiceThread to introduce themselves, create one VT where each student contributes a slide.  It’s easy to set it up so that students can edit the VT!

Suggested Uses:

  • Online discussion board
  • Class introductions
  • Foreign language practice
  • Reflection
  • Social Learning
  • Hear multiple ways of solving a problem
Using VoiceThread on Mobile Devices

Using the VoiceThread App

Learn how to use the VoiceThread App on your phone or tablet.

 

 

Accessing VoiceThread for Students
Troubleshooting VoiceThread

You can visit the CofC Knowledge Base and search for VoiceThread to access all of the articles to help you diagnose any issues you are having.

You can also visit the troubleshooting videos created by the VoiceThread company