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 Moodle at UMass Amherst. For more about VoiceThread, visit voicethread.com

Add VoiceThread to your Moodle Course

1. On your course page, click Turn editing on (green pencil icon , top right). Editing links will apear on the page.
2. In the section that you want the activity to appear, click +Add an activity or resource. The Activity chooser will open.
3. In the Activity chooser, select External tool, then scroll down and click Add. The Adding an external tool page will open.
4. On the Adding an external tool page, for Activity Name, enter a name for the activity.
5. From the Preconfigured tool dropdown, select VoiceThread.
6. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save and return to course. You will be returned to your course page.

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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. Click on 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...".
2. Click Individual VT.
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3. Select one of your previously created VoiceThreads. If you have not yet created a VoiceThread, click Create new VoiceThread. To add Media or Comments to your VoiceThread, continue to Adding Media in VoiceThread and Adding Comments on VoiceThread.
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4. Click Share with Class.
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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. Navigate to your Moodle course page and add VoiceThread to your Moodle Course, for detailed instructions see Add VoiceThread to your Moodle Course.
2. Next, click on 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. Click Assignment Builder. The Select a type of Assignment page will open.
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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 assignemnts 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.
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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).
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3. Browse and select the desired media on your computer. 
4. Enter a VoiceThread title and optional description, and click Save. 
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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 on 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.