Using VoiceThread to Enhance Lectures and Discussions

Originally presented for CAT+FD on 16 February 2023 by Ms. Janice Florent and Dr. Jason Todd

“Learning is enhanced when it is more like a team effort than a solo race. Good learning, like good work, is collaborative and social, not competitive and isolated. Working with others often increases involvement in learning.” (Chickering & Gamson, 1987).

VoiceThread is a web tool that allows you to humanize interactions in an online environment. VoiceThread transforms stale, text-based discussions and feedback by infusing your content and conversations with human presence, just as if the instructor and students were all sitting in the classroom together, but without scheduling a specific time to meet. VoiceThread can also make video lectures dynamic and engaging by embedding questions that must be answered before proceeding.

VoiceThread adds a more personal element to the experience when utilizing the features of commenting via voice. By hearing and seeing the instructor and classmates during a VoiceThread, a familiarity develops that feeds deeper participation. Utilizing VoiceThreads can give you and your students a "voice."

This workshop, the thirteenth in our #LEX Advanced series, builds on the skills you learned in the #LearnEverywhereXULA course and shows you how using VoiceThread can enhance online lectures and discussions through the addition of voice.

Pre-Workshop Assignment

Watch these two videos (to be completed before the workshop):

• VoiceThread in Education (1 minute)

• VoiceThread Walkthrough (7 minutes)

Workshop Recording

• Coming soon!

Resources

Slide Deck

• Coming soon!

Use Cases

• Using VoiceThread for Lectures (video)
• VoiceThread Digital Library

Setting Up a VoiceThread in Brightspace

• Add a Link in Brightspace Course

VoiceThread How-to’s

Creating

• Creating a New VoiceThread

Navigating

• Getting Around in a VoiceThread
• Keyboard Shortcuts

Commenting

• How to Comment

Doodling

• How to Doodle

Editing

• Edit VoiceThread Assignment (that was created with Assignment Builder)
• Edit an Existing VoiceThread

Assessments

• Grade VoiceThread Assignment
• Example VoiceThread Rubric

Accessibility

• VoiceThread Universal (for screen readers)
• Add Closed Captions
• Using Closed Captioning

Additional Help

• VoiceThread YouTube Channel
• VoiceThread FAQs