VoiceThread

VoiceThread is a cloud-based application that has been seamlessly integrating SOLE. VoiceThread can be used to upload, share, and discuss documents, presentations, images, audio files, and videos. Some examples of its uses are:

  • Comment Assignments which as great for graded discussion and speaking practice that require students to post comments on a VoiceThread that the faculty has created and can decide whether students can see one another’s comments.
  • Create Assignments that can engage in peer review and conversation. These are great for demonstration of a skill.
  • Watch Assignment which requires students to watch a VoiceThread in full. This is good for non-interactive lecture delivery and compliance and training.

Five commenting options are available to discuss the content: microphone, webcam, text, phone, or audio-file upload. A VoiceThread can be shared with a class, a single person, or open up to the entire world.

You can also download the VoiceThread mobile app from Google Play or App Store. View the Mobile VoiceThreading video for information about using the app and its features.

Students and instructors are enrolled in their courses automatically within SOLE. When a user clicks an LTI link within a course, VoiceThread will generate a group for that course and add the user to it. Assignments are graded in VoiceThread, and grades are sent back to your LMS gradebook seamlessly.

Course administrators must contact SOLE Support at solesupport@hsc.wvu.edu in order to request that VoiceThread be enabled within their course.

Once enabled, VoiceThread can be accessed within the Communication tools of a course or site.

Adding a VoiceThread Assignment

Begin by accessing VoiceThread from within Communication and clicking the Add Assignment Icon Add VoiceThread icon.

First, enter a Title for the VoiceThread and an optional Due Date and Directions.

Update the Accessibility, Access Control, Learning Objectives, and Dependent Release settings as necessary. 

Click the Add VoiceThread button once all settings have been selected to save the new VoiceThread.

Creating a VoiceThread

Once the VoiceThread assignment is added to SOLE, VoiceThreads can be created within the course.

It may be helpful to use the 'Open in a new tab?' link to work with VoiceThread on a full screen. 

  1. From the VoiceThread Setup page, if you are ready to create an Assignment select the blue Assignment Builder button. From here choose either the Create, Comment, and Watch activity then follow the steps by choosing options and adding media. 
  2. Add media by dragging and dropping files to the page, or by selecting Add Media.
    • Each slide in a PowerPoint deck will have its own "page" in VoiceThread.
    • Each page in a Word document will have its own "page" in VoiceThread.
    • Each image will have its own "page" in VoiceThread.
  3. To add a comment, click a page, and then click Comment. Hover near the bottom of the page and click the plus symbol.
    • Click the symbol for either text, phone, microphone, video, or upload.
    • Provide the comment.
    • Click the forward or back arrow to navigate to a different page to add a comment to another page.
  4. Once you've finished creating the VoiceThread, use the 'Share and Return to Course' button to share it with other users within the course.

Webinars and Student Support

VoiceThread offers free webinars on a regular basis, allowing you to choose a time that's convenient for product demonstrations. The webinars typically last an hour, with extra time allotted for questions. Visit VoiceThread's website to register for an upcoming webinar.

You can share these VoiceThread YouTube videos with your students so they can learn how to submit a Create, Comment, or Watch Assignment.