Engaging Students with Multimedia Presentations and Discussions

 

Student presentations are often an engaging learning experience but may require a big chunk of class time assigned for each student, or each group of students to present. When the presentations are conducted online, they could be done synchronously via video conferencing tools such as BlueJeans, Microsft Teams, or asynchronously via VoiceThread.

VoiceThread (VT) is best used for creating, sharing, and commenting on assignments that involve the use of text, images, audio, and video.  Some ideas and examples of its applications could include but are not limited to: 

  • self-introduction at the beginning of a semester
  • project presentations
  • digital storytelling
  • practicing language learning
  • discussing, debating, commenting, and providing feedback

While these learning activities might also be done with other tools in Canvas, the key advantage of VT is that it makes it easy for instructors and students to interact and communicate with multiple modalities. 

 

How does VoiceThread work?

 

 

What can you do with VoiceThread?

 

  • Add VT as an assignment: When you create this assignment, you will need to select External Tools as the submission type, locate VT from the list, and select it. 
  • Add VT to a module or course navigation: You can add VT as a module item, which provides a link that you can use to add VT to the course navigation menu by using the Redirect app. 
  • Configure a VT activity: After you have added a VT link in your course, you may decide what you want your students to see and do when they click that link. Here are four options for your configuration:
    1. Course View: This option takes your students to the main VT page for your course, where they will see all the VTs shared with the course.
    2. VT Home: This option takes students to their own VT home page, where they can see all of their own VTs. It is a good choice for an activity that you are asking them to create their own VTs.
    3. Individual VT: Display a particular Voice Thread you want to directly take students to.  It is a good choice if you want students to view and/or comment on a specific VT.
    4. Assignment Builder: Please note that this option only displays after you have added VT to a Canvas assignment. If you choose this option, students will be taken to this assignment.
  • Create a VT assignment: You can create three types of assignments:
    1. Creat a VT: It requires students to create their own VT and submit it for grading.
    2. Submit a comment: It requires students to submit one or more comments on a VT of your choice. 
    3. Watch a VT: Requires students to watch a VT of your choice from start to finish.
  • Grade a VT assignment: You may enter a percentage grade between 0 and 100. The corresponding assignment can have any point value you wish to assign to it. The percentage from VoiceThread will be multiplied by the point value to produce the correct number of points in the gradebook.
  • Remind students who have no submissions: You can send an email reminder to those students who have not yet submitted their assignments.
  • Create groups and contacts: Creating groups or contacts would allow you to share VTs with a specific group of students or an individual student.
  • Moderate comments: You can choose to moderate comments by reviewing all comments to make sure they are appropriate before releasing them to the class.

Learn more about using VoiceThread in Canvas Links to an external site.

 

Best Practices for Using VoiceThread

 

  • Create a VT for students to practice using it: If students are expected to record and post audio and video for a graded assignment, it is ideal that they can practice and ensure that they are able to do that with their devices.
  • Provide students with online netiquette guidelines: These will help you set expectations on creating a safe, friendly, and encouraging learning community for all the students. Here is Download an example of online discussion netiquettes from the Center for Teaching and Learning.
  • Add close captioning to audio and video VTs:  You can add closed captioning Links to an external site. to your video or audio VTs and comments within VoiceThread. You can also encourage your students to do so.
  • Direct students with disabilities to use VoiceThread Universal: VoiceThread Universal Links to an external site. is an HTML version of VT that is made for screen readers. For students who have visual impairment and need accommodation, you may direct them to switch to VoiceThread Universal from his/her account.