VoiceThread Instruction

VoiceThread is an activity that allows users to upload, share and discuss documents, presentations, images, audio files and videos. VoiceThread supports over 50 different types of media. Users can comment on VoiceThread slides using one of five commenting options: microphone, webcam, text, phone and audio-file upload. Additionally, you can draw or annotate the multimedia you have uploaded when leaving a typed, video or audio comment. Users can keep a VoiceThread private, share it with specific group of people, or open it to all. 

VoiceThread transforms media into collaborative spaces with video, voice, and text commenting. You can create a video about a topic that you want to introduce to students and require students to reply by leaving a text, audio or even video comment. You can also create a video Assignment that has questions embedded, that requires students to answer at least x number of comments in order to submit. You can also grade students and publish the results to the gradebook.

The first step to using VoiceThread in your course is to add a VoiceThread activity. This is a link in the course main page that staff can set up and choose one of the VoiceThread types to use.

1. Click 'Turn editing on'  towards the top right of your course
    
2. At the end of a section, click Add an activity or resource and select External Tool from the pop-up activity chooser.
   
    
3. Select VoiceThread from the Preconfigured tool dropdown:
   
    
4.  Click Save and Display.
   
   After saving the page, it should take you to the VoiceThread landing page where you can choose a type of VoiceThread activity to use. If the landing page does not open, go back to the course main page and click on the new VoiceThread activity you just created. 
    
5. Select one of the VoiceThread activity types to choose how you want the VoiceThread to behave for students. 
   
   
   The commonly used VoiceThread activity types are:

• Course View: A VoiceThread collection/folder for the course. Students can upload their own media and documents to the course, as well as leave comments for others to view.
• Individual VoiceThread: Display a specific VoiceThread containting Media/Documents for students to view. Students can leave and view comments throughout the VoiceThread.
• Assignment Builder: Use the VoiceThread activity as a graded assignment. Can be set up to require students to submit a VoiceThread Media/Document, Comment on a selected VoiceThread Media/Document, or watch one to be graded.
  
  Home can also be used to provide students with a dashboard of all the VoiceThreads they have uploaded across their courses and all courses that belong to them.

     6. There may be additional prompts to configure the VoiceThread depending on the activity types chosen.
         Please follow the prompts to complete the setup for the VoiceThread activity.
         Additional information on this is available below.

The Individual VT option allows staff to display a specific VoiceThread containing Media/Documents for students to view. Students can leave and view comments throughout the VoiceThread.

1. On the 'VoiceThread Setup' page, select 'Individual VT'
   
    
2.  Click 'Create new VoiceThread' to create a new VoiceThread or select one that you have previously created.
   
    
3. If you are creating a new VoiceThread, upload a file to be included in the VoiceThread. After uploading, provide a name and click save.
   
    
4. If you have selected an existing VoiceThread, click the 'Edit' button. Once you have clicked 'Edit' or have uploaded a file to a new VoiceThread, you will be presented with an edit screen where you can upload additional files to the VoiceThread by clicking the + icon.
   
    
5. When you are ready to release the VoiceThread, click 'Share with class'
    
6. Once shared, the students will see the VoiceThread upon clicking on the activity in your course and can leave comments to it

The Assignment Builder option allows staff to use the VoiceThread activity as a graded assignment.

It can be set up to require students to

• Submit a VoiceThread containing Media/Documents
• Comment on a selected VoiceThread
• Completely watch a VoiceThread

To setup an Assignment Builder VoiceThread activity:

1. On the 'VoiceThread Setup' page, select 'Assignment Builder'
   
    
2. Select one of the options for the VoiceThread assignment and click continue
   
   • Create: Students are required to submit a VoiceThread containing Media/Documents
   • Comment: Students are required to comment on a selected VoiceThread
   • Watch: Students must completely watch a VoiceThread
      
3. If you have chosen 'Comment' or 'Watch', you will need to select an existing VoiceThread or 'Create a new VoiceThread' for students to watch.
   
   If creating a new VoiceThread, follow the prompts to upload some files and click 'continue'. Add some comments if needed and click continue again.
   
   If selecting an existing VoiceThread, select the VoiceThread from the list and click 'continue'.
   
    
4. You will be presented with additional options which can be adjusted depending on the option selected. Change any options that are required and click continue.
    
5. On the Finalize tab, enter any instructions to present to students and press Publish.
   
    
6. Once Published, students will be able to complete the VoiceThread by clicking the activity in the Moodle course.

Most VoiceThread activity types will allow staff and students to provide comments to a VoiceThread.

Users can add comments when viewing the content within a VoiceThread:

1. Click the 'Comment' icon to add a comment to the current time/location within the VoiceThread
   
    
2. A radial set of icons will appear representing each type of available comment that can be left. Select the appropriate icon to begin leaving that type of comment.
   
    
   1. Text Comment
   2. Voice Comment using your phone, for if you do not have a microphone on your device
   3. Audio Comment, recorded with your device
   4. Video Comment, recorded with your device
   5. File Upload, upload a file as your comment
       
3. Follow the additional prompts to finish leaving the comment

Viewing Comments

VoiceThread comments can be seen:

• On the left had side column
  
   
• As dots on the timeline
  

Users can click on both locations to view comments and jump to the time in the video that they were left.

A search bar is also available on the top left to search for specific commenters.

More instructions and video guides can be found here:

https://voicethread.com/howto/new-assignments/#update

The 'Assignment' Voicethread may require students to build, submit or comment on their own VoiceThread. A VoiceThread is a collection of media and files that are uploaded together.

VoiceThreads can be created and uploaded by:

1. In an assignment VoiceThread, you will see the assessment requirements in the 'Information' area on the top right. To begin an assignment, click 'Start assignment'.
   
    
2. If you are required to upload media, an 'Add media' tab may appear. Select one of the options to upload or record media.
   
   
   The main options are:
   • Add from computer: Upload a file/media from the computer
   • Record Video slide: Record a video in the browser (requires a device with a microphone and camera)
   • Take a picture: Take a picture in the browser (requires a device with a camera)
   • Record audio slide: Record an audio clip within the browser (requires a device with a microphone)
      
3. Once a file is uploaded, you can upload additional files/media via the 'Add media' button.
   
    
4. Additional options are available to
   
   • Edit the title of your submission
   • Delete or edit an uploaded file
      
5. Click Continue to proceed to the next step.
   
    
6. If you are required to comment on the assignment, an 'Open and comment' tab may appear. This tab is used to preview the submission and leave comments, refer to the 'How to comment' section of this page for information on commenting.
    
7. Once ready for submission, press the 'Submit' button on the top right. Assessment information and whether resubmission is allowed may also be displayed on the right hand side.
   
   Note: the Submit button is greyed out as shown below if the submission requirements are not met. You will see a tick next to each requirement in the 'Information' area once they are met.
   

To learn more about VoiceThread setup and features, please register their free online workshops:

https://voicethread.com/workshops

If you experience technical or other issues, consult the Where to get help page.

The Connections Seminar series provides a platform for UNSW staff to explore different aspects of learning and teaching, share ideas and get feedback on practice and research.

This recording and presentation relate to the use of VoiceThread which can be found on a Moodle course sites (self-enrolment key provided)

Connections Seminars

• Connections Seminar on 23 September 2020, Online Engagement: Using interactive video to build relatedness presented by Dr Gavin Mount, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UNSW Canberra (self-enrolment key: unswconnections)