VoiceThread is a versatile tool that enables instructors and students to create, share, and engage with multimedia content in an interactive format. Users can upload materials such as PowerPoint slides, images, documents, and other audio-visual content to build a VoiceThread presentation. Each slide can be enriched with comments using one of four methods: text, audio, video, or file upload.

Fully integrated into HuskyCT, VoiceThread allows instructors and students to create individual accounts when accessing it through the platform automatically. Instructors can design VoiceThread assignments, provide feedback, and seamlessly sync grades with the HuskyCT Grade Center, streamlining the grading process.

To get started, watch the brief video introduction to VoiceThread below.

The combination of content presentation and multimedia capabilities gives VoiceThread a unique interactive approach over traditional lecture capture tools and discussion boards. Numerous studies find VoiceThread an effective tool in the following HigherEd applications:

• Presenting multimedia content
• Sustaining learning communities
• Promoting active learning
• Encouraging student engagement
• Facilitating creativity

In working with UConn faculty, we find that instructors who use VoiceThread generally have positive views of the overall experience and that the user interface and basic functionalities are intuitive and easy to use.

VoiceThread can be used in many different ways. Below are a few general categories with examples:

These activities are typically ungraded and initiated by the instructor, who provides prompts and guidelines to guide student participation. Their primary goal is to foster engagement with the course content and encourage interaction among students. These activities can be found throughout the course, appearing in various contexts such as orientation sessions and learning modules.

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In the example below, the instructor used VoiceThread (VT) for student introductions. The instructor provided clear instructions on the initial slide and invited all students to participate. Students uploaded photos of themselves and introduced themselves according to the given instructions. They also engaged with each other by commenting on their peers' posts.

* Note that if video comments are desired, consider using a video intro for yourself and specifying your requirements as well. You can also reorder student comments to prioritize those that are of better quality.

Unlike traditional discussion boards that primarily rely on text-based interactions, VoiceThread (VT) discussions offer students multiple ways to participate, including through audio, video, text, or uploaded multimedia materials. Students can also upload their own evidence, such as documents or media, to support their arguments, if permitted. VT provides instructors with tools to moderate discussions, engage with students privately, and tailor participation. Discussions can be designed to be either graded or ungraded, depending on the instructional goals.

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The following is an example of a VoiceThread (VT) used for discussions. This asynchronous panel discussion features a single slide displaying the discussion questions and a second slide with the bios of the panelists.

Since VT has the capability to present a person’s likeness through audio and video, it can be used along with the student photos in Student Admin to verify that students are who they say they are and that they are the ones submitting the work.

VoiceThread (VT) lectures are similar to voice-over slide presentations, with the added benefit of overlaying comments directly on top of slides. This feature allows instructors to easily update lectures by replacing specific slides or comments without needing to re-record the entire presentation. VoiceThread also supports seamless import of PowerPoint slide decks as content, making setup straightforward.

One unique advantage of VT is the ability to engage students directly by allowing them to leave comments on the lecture. This interaction provides valuable insights for the instructor, helping to identify areas where students may need additional clarification. Additionally, by utilizing the Assignment feature, instructors can make certain lectures mandatory and graded, ensuring active participation.

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This example showcases a "talking head" lecture, where the instructor delivers content directly via video. Students engage by asking questions or leaving comments directly on the video, fostering interaction and providing opportunities for clarification.

* Kaltura is integrated with VoiceThread at UConn. You can import your own media directly from Kaltura into VoiceThread.

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In the example below, you will see a common type of lecture where the instructor presents content using PowerPoint slides.

Because of the asynchronous nature of VT, you can invite multiple users to collaboratively develop and comment on a VT.

Aside from a simple individual guest lecture, another example could be an asynchronous panel discussion, where a question or thought is presented on a series of slides and panel members respond to each prompt.

Students can easily coordinate efforts to work on presentations with VT. Instructors can create groups within VT to better facilitate this process. It helps grant every student in the group equal opportunity to participate and contribute to the presentation.

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This is an example of a student presentation using VT. Students follow the same process to create a slide presentation and overlay their comments. You can also see other students' comments throughout the presentation.

Instructors can use VT to provide feedback to student work, such as papers, presentations, etc. using audio comments and the annotation tool.

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In this example, you can see that the instructor used VT to provide feedback on an essay. She is also using the annotation tool to facilitate her feedback.

VT can also be used to revitalize some of the course logistics that are traditionally overlooked, such as a Q&A forum, walkthrough videos, exam preparation or review sessions, etc.

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In the example below, the instructor used VoiceThread to provide a walkthrough of the course syllabus. You may also utilize the built-in pencil tool to highlight specific sections of the syllabus for clarity. Students were able to ask questions directly within the VoiceThread, fostering engagement and ensuring understanding. This also allowed students to practice using VoiceThread, preparing them for its use later in the course if required.

• Use a combination of slides, multimedia content, and documents in your VT presentation.
• Keep a VT presentation under 20 minutes. For longer presentations, consider inserting “reflection” slides, such as a discussion prompt or quiz question, to allow students to pause and reflect on what they have learned.
• Record short comments (around 1 min.) on your slides. This also makes it easier when perform updates in the future.
• Use a combination of webcam videos, audio, and text comments to establish sufficient instructor presence while not distracting students from the content of the presentation.
• Take advantage of the annotation tool.
• Enable student comments on your presentations, and periodically respond to some comments to increase teaching presence.
• When reusing a VT for different sections or semesters, make a copy of the VT and retitle it to reflect the section/semester. This way, you will have a clean VT without comments from your previous students, and you can retain your comments when making a copy.

• Finalize your slides and documents before uploading them to VT since you won’t be able to make edits once VT has processed the upload. 

• • Tip: If you want to keep your comment but update the slide, be sure to download the comment onto your computer before substituting the slide as all comments will be deleted with the slide. You can re-upload your comment onto the updated slide.

• Secure a quiet and interruption-free environment for recording. Be mindful of how fast you speak. A recorded soundtrack will generate fewer errors in the automated closed captions.
• Provide specific guidelines on how comments are expected to be made (e.g. number of comments per student, length, acceptable response format; video, audio, or text, etc.). Note that you can pre-set these requirements in a VT assignment.
• Provide netiquette guidelines to students. Create a safe, friendly, encouraging learning community for all the students.
• Model and demonstrate what a quality comment is or provide exemplary comments from other students. 

• • Tip: You can also reorder students’ comments to move the best ones to the top so that they are played first when students open the VT.

• Use Comment Moderation and Private Reply for private interactions or when the comments contain sensitive information. These comments will stay hidden from the rest of the class until the instructor reveals them.
• When recording one comment across multiple slides, make sure to disable Automatically Advance to the next slide in Playback Options to prevent the slides from advancing on their own.
• Consider using different Identities for different commenting purposes. For example, use your instructor identity to record comments for presentations, but switch to a moderator identity to respond to student comments.

• Provide sufficient guidance for students. Depending on how you are using VT, direct students to Commenting on a VoiceThread and Completing a Graded Assignment.
• Consider creating a “low-stake” activity (e.g. introductions) to let students practice using VT.

Uploaded content

• Slides and documents uploaded to VT are converted into individual images and lose any existing accessibility adjustments. We strongly recommend instructors supplement the VTs with accessible versions (in the form of attachments or links) of the uploaded slides or documents.

Captioning

• Automatic machine captioning is made available for all UConn users. This means that VT will automatically caption your uploaded or recorded videos or audios including video and audio comments. Captions normally take 5-10 minutes to be generated and displayed once saved. Depending on the quality of the soundtrack, accuracy of the captions varies. We strongly recommend instructors review and edit the captions for obvious errors. Viewers can use the closed captions button on the player to toggle the feature on and off. 
• Professional captioning is also available for instructors with official CSD accommodation requests. Please follow CSD guidelines to use this service.

VoiceThread Universal

The default interface of VoiceThread is not screen reader/keyboard accessible. VoiceThread does offer an accessible alternative, VoiceThread Universal, for screen reader and keyboard users.

• The IT Knowledge Base has step-by-step instructions on how to use VoiceThread in HuskyCT.
• VoiceThread has a robust training program consisting of video tutorials, how-to articles, and webinars.  Help resources can be accessed by clicking the blue question mark icon on the lower right of your VoiceThread home page. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources to get the most out of VoiceThread.

For more information or assistance with VoiceThread, contact the Educational Technology Office at edtech@uconn.edu or (860) 486-5052.

Please direct student support to the VoiceThread support email: support@voicethread.com.