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 Create a VoiceThread for Discussion to use an individual VoiceThread as a discussion prompt. See Create a VoiceThread for Student Presentations for directions on setting up a course view for presentation submissions.

The video below provides an introduction to adding media and comments to a VoiceThread presentation. See the Voicethread support page for additional 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 the VoiceThread link.
2. Select Individual VT.
3. 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.

4. Select the plus symbol to add media (e.g. a PowerPoint, image, PDF) to the VoiceThread. 

   Note: To add audio or video narration over a file, upload the file during step 4, then add an audio or video comment after sharing the VoiceThread.

5. Select Share with Class.
6. Refresh the page to view the VoiceThread.
7. (Optional) Use the plus sign to add a video or audio comment to begin the discussion [A].

   

8. Provide 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 the VoiceThread link.
2. Select Course View.
3. Refresh the page to view the changes. 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.
4. Provide students with the instructions for Creating a VoiceThread Presentation.

Adjust Playback Settings

1. Select Options.
2. From the dropdown menu, select 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.