Ohio University will retire VoiceThread when the contract ends, June 30, 2026. This article will guide you through how you can retain your VoiceThread material and alternatives that you can use to support your instructional goals.
OIT Instructional Technologists are available to help you evaluate tools that support your teaching strategies. Schedule a consultation.
Users can contact VoiceThread support at support@voicethread.com for support using VoiceThread after June 30, 2026.
Save VoiceThread Content
Students
OIT will remove all OHIO VoiceThread users from the institutional account June 30, 2026.
After removal, your account will automatically convert to a free VoiceThread account, which preserves access to content created directly in VoiceThread.com with your OHIO account.
Review VoiceThread Content Created in Canvas
Once VoiceThread is removed from Canvas June 30, 2026, no assignments or submissions created in Canvas will be accessible. Students should save content from Canvas prior to June 30 by reviewing VoiceThread's Copying a VoiceThread instructions.
Instructors
OIT will remove all OHIO VoiceThread users from the institutional account June 30, 2026.
After removal, your account will automatically convert to a free VoiceThread account, which preserves access to content created directly in VoiceThread.com with your OHIO account.
Review VoiceThread Content Created in Canvas
After VoiceThread is retired and all users are transitioned to free accounts, instructors will be able to see past content from Canvas but will not be able to edit it. To edit this content in VoiceThread, you can copy it—see Copying a VoiceThread.
Export VoiceThread Content
Exporting a VoiceThread lets you save a video version of the VoiceThread offline for archival purposes. The video file includes all media, comments, and annotations that exist on the live version of the VoiceThread. Moderated (hidden) comments are not included in an export. These exports are videos, not VoiceThread “project files”. The content cannot be revised/edited as you can with the original VoiceThread project, nor can you export individual components of the VoiceThread from the exported video.
- Note: Once you export a VoiceThread, you must download it within 90 days. After this period, the export will expire, and you will need to re-export the VoiceThread to obtain another copy. OHIO’s contract will expire June 30, 2026, so any exports and downloads must happen before then. You will not be able to download the files after June 30, 2026
- See VoiceThread’s guidance on how to export content
VoiceThread Alternative Exploration
A variety of applications supported by OIT provide capabilities relevant to common uses of VoiceThread. The table below outlines alternatives that you may want to consider for a variety of functions.
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Instructional Need/Goal
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Alternatives
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Multimedia presentation creation (images, videos, documents, audio)
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- Use PowerPoint to create multimedia presentations that include images, videos, and audio narration. These presentations can then be shared through Canvas, Teams, or uploaded to Panopto or Stream for broader access and playback. Panopto, and Microsoft Teams support recording within their applications.
- Panopto and Stream are strong options for recording and sharing lectures. PowerPoint can also be used to create narrated slide decks, which can then be uploaded to Canvas, Panopto, or Stream. These tools support asynchronous access and Panopto can be enhanced with quizzes and text-based discussions.
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Multimedia discussions (discussions including audio, text, and/or video)
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Recommended – Canvas Discussion Boards: Canvas supports text-based discussions, as well as audio or video comments from students or instructors. Canvas expects to add some captioning capabilities for the native media recording tool in April 2026. Within Canvas, instructors and students can also record Panopto videos within the Rich Content Editor to create captioned videos in the Canvas space. This strategy requires an assignment folder in Panopto to be available so students can create videos in the class.
Additional Options:
- Stream also supports time stamped comments on videos, which can be used for feedback or discussion.
- Instructors and students can record Flip videos in Teams for Classroom, but students cannot comment on each other’s flip videos.
- Top Hat offers a collaborative space for students to respond to prompts fostering engagement beyond text-based forums.
- Using the “record a video” feature in response to a Teams for Classroom post allows students and instructors to post videos and get text or video comments. These can only be 1 minute long and have no grading options.
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Student collaboration and co-creation
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- Microsoft Teams and OneDrive support real-time collaboration, allowing students to co-author documents or presentations.
- Canvas also supports group assignments and collaborative spaces, making it possible for students to work together on shared projects.
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Canvas Integration (Tools that support grading or assignment creation in Canvas)
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- Tools like Panopto and Top Hat integrate directly with Canvas and can sync grades automatically.
- Teams for Classroom and Flip assignments allow for integration with the Canvas grade book.
- Top Hat has interactive options, particularly attendance and polling, to support efficient grading.
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Low-stakes engagement activities (e.g., reflections, icebreakers)
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- Top Hat is well-suited for informal check-ins, reflections, or polls.
- Canvas Quizzes and Discussions can also be used for low-stakes activities that encourage participation.
- Teams supports informal activities like check-ins or polling.
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VoiceThread Licensing
Some instructors or departments may wish to evaluate paid VoiceThread subscriptions for continued or expanded use. VoiceThread offers individual and departmental licensing options. If you plan to pursue a subscription, please submit a Technology Review to ensure you get up to date accessibility and security guidance.
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