Teaching Commons > Teaching Guides > Technology > Desire2Learn > Tools > VoiceThread > Creating a VoiceThread

Creating a VoiceThread

Once a VoiceThread link has been added to a class, instructors can choose a display option for the link. These options depend on the purpose of the VoiceThread and the way that students will interact with it.

See the VoiceThread support page for videos on creating presentations.

Create a VoiceThread for Discussion

If VoiceThread will be used for discussions, the display option to choose is Individual VT. When students select the VoiceThread link, they will see just this one VoiceThread, to which they will be able to add comments.

  1. After VoiceThread has been added to Content (see Adding VoiceThread), select Individual VT.
  2. If the VoiceThread needs to be created, select Create New VoiceThread.

    Note: If the VoiceThread already exists, see Sharing a VoiceThread for information on re-populating a previously created VoiceThread.

  3. Select the type of media to use for the start of the VoiceThread [A].
  4. Upload or record as needed based on the selection.
  5. Select Continue [B].
    screenshot of the voicethread setup interface with labels on options for adding media and the continue button
  6. Enter a title for the VoiceThread [A].
  7. (Optional) Add more media [B].
  8. Select Continue [C].
    menu to add title and media to voicethread
  9. To add audio, video, or another kind of comment to the VoiceThread, select the plus dialogue [A].
    screenshot of the voicethread setup interface with a label on the comment button
  10. Select the type of comment to add [A]. 
  11. When finished, select Publish [B].
    screenshot of the voicethread setup interface with labels on options for adding comments and the publish button
  12. Provide students with instructions for Adding Comments to a VoiceThread Discussion.

Use VoiceThread for Student Presentations

If VoiceThread will be used for class presentations, the display option to choose is Course View. This will show the collection of VoiceThreads that have been shared with the course. Anything that has not yet been explicitly shared with the course will not appear. (See Sharing a VoiceThread for more information.) Students will be able to add comments to individual presentations when selected.

  1. After VoiceThread has been added to Content (see Adding VoiceThread), select Course View.
  2. When students use the VoiceThread link, they will be shown all of the VoiceThreads that have been added to the class or shared with the class.
  3. Provide students with the instructions for Creating a VoiceThread Presentation.

Adjust Playback Settings

  1. From an individual VoiceThread, select the three dots menu [A].
  2. Select Thread Settings [B].
    screenshot of the voicethread setup interface with labels on options for editing playback settings
  3. Change playback settings for a VoiceThread depending on its purpose:
    • If the VoiceThread is being used for a discussion, leave the "Enable Threaded Commenting" box selected.
    • If the VoiceThread is being used as a presentation, select the "Automatically advance to the next slide after __ seconds box" and enter a number in the text box. (This is the number of seconds between when the comment ends and the presentation advances to the next slide. For fast-moving presentations, it is recommended to enter 0.)
    • If students should not be able to download the original presentation slides, de-select the "Allow others to download original media".  This option allows students to download the PowerPoint file only, not any narrations.
  4. Select Save when done.

Note: Detailed information on each playback setting option is available on VoiceThread's website.

NEXT STEPS

If a VoiceThread is created within a D2L class, it will automatically be shared with that class. For information on how to share a previously-created VoiceThread with a class, see Sharing a VoiceThread.

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