Help & Resources: VoiceThread

Table of Contents

Blackboard Retirement

Instructors

Students

Note:  

Blackboard Retirement

Ohio University will retire Blackboard in June 2026 as the final stage of the Canvas Learning Management System Implementation. Blackboard course access will be reduced and eventually eliminated in a phased approach to support an optimal student and instructor experience (see the Blackboard Retirement page for details and resources). If you have viewed or created VoiceThread content in a Blackboard course, you may still be able to access that content directly on the VoiceThread site (https://ohio.voicethread.com) after the Blackboard course has been deleted, however, the impact of the Blackboard retirement on VoiceThread content varies depending on your role and how the content was created.

  • Instructors should retain access to VoiceThread content that was shared with a course outside of a VoiceThread assignment. Content associated with a VoiceThread assignment will be visible, but cannot be edited. Under this circumstance, the VoiceThread would need to be copied (see Copying a VoiceThread for instructions) and then the copy could be edited or used for future assignments in Canvas. 
  • Students may retain access to VoiceThread content that was shared with a course outside of a VoiceThread assignment. VoiceThreads shared as part of a VoiceThread assignment (such as a Watch or Comment assignment), or those created by the student and submitted to a VoiceThread Create assignment, will not be accessible to the student once disconnected from the Blackboard course. Because of this, we recommend those students who wish to maintain access to VoiceThread content make personal copies of the VoiceThreads (using VoiceThread's Copying a VoiceThread instructions) before losing access to the Blackboard course.

Users with questions about maintaining access to VoiceThread content may contact VoiceThread support at support@voicethread.com for further advice and instruction, while questions about the Blackboard Retirement may be directed to the IT Service Desk or the Technology Help Center.

Instructors

Getting Started in Canvas

See Adding VoiceThread to a Canvas Course for step-by-step instructions.

  • When incorporating VoiceThread into a Canvas course, the activity location is determined by whether assignment will be graded or not graded.

Note:

  • Graded activities: It is recommended to add the VoiceThread into Canvas as an assignment.
  • Nongraded activities: It is recommended to add the VoiceThread to Canvas as part of a module.
  • For Ohio University use the Canvas: If your institution uses Deep Linking steps to add VoiceThread to your course.

Setting Up a Non-Graded VoiceThread Activity

See Setting Up a Non-Graded VoiceThread Activity for step-by-step instructions.

Setting Up a Create-a-VoiceThread Assignment

See Setting Up a Create-a-VoiceThread Assignment for step-by-step instructions.

  • Require students to create their own VoiceThread. They will upload the slides and record comments, then submit it to you for a grade. You can even allow students to see their classmates’ submissions later so they can engage in peer review and conversation (must enable "Student Gallery" in the assignment options). This is great for: 
    • Student presentations 
    • Demonstration of a skill (bedside manner, playing an instrument, painting/drawing technique, pitching a business) 
    • Submitting a paper, wireframe, website, etc. to receive feedback 

Setting Up a Commenting Assignment

See Setting Up a Commenting Assignment for step-by-step instructions.

  • Require students to post comments on a VoiceThread that you have created. You can decide whether or not students can see one another’s comments. This is great for: 
    • Graded discussions 
    • Quizzes 
    • Speaking practice (public speaking, language practice, poetry out loud) 

Setting Up a Watch Assignment

See Setting Up a Watch Assignment for step-by-step instructions.

  • Require students to watch a VoiceThread in full. This is great for: 
    • Non-interactive lecture delivery 
    • Compliance and training 

Grading Student Work

See Grading Student Work for step-by-step instructions.

  • Instructors can access the VoiceThread Grader by clicking the VT assignment link. Instructors can grade assignments that have been submitted, assignments that are in progress, and assignments that have not been attempted. 

Students

Submitting a Create-A-VoiceThread Assignment

See Submitting a Create-A-VoiceThread Assignment for step-by-step instructions.

Submitting a Commenting Assignment

See Submitting a Commenting Assignment for step-by-step instructions.

Submitting a Watching Assignment

See Submitting a Watching Assignment for step-by-step instructions.

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