VoiceThread
Sidebar
VoiceThread is an interactive, multimedia discussion tool that allows educators and students to create, share and comment on content using text, audio, video and drawings. Instead of traditional discussion boards, VoiceThread enables richer, more engaging conversations by allowing participants to speak and visually interact with course material.
Educators commonly use VoiceThread to:
- Facilitate asynchronous discussions
- Deliver mini-lectures or presentations
- Provide feedback on student work
- Encourage student collaboration and reflection
Use VoiceThread
Follow these steps to integrate VoiceThread into your Blackboard Ultra course:
- Add VoiceThread to Your Course
- Go to your Blackboard Ultra course.
- In Course Content, click the + (plus) icon where you want to add VoiceThread.
- Select Content Market.
- Choose VoiceThread from the list of tools.
- A link will be added to your course; click it to launch setup.
Configure Your Activity
After adding the link, you will be prompted to choose an activity type:
- AssignmentBuilder: Create graded assignments (comment, create, or watch). You must use the assignment builder type of activity if you want VoiceThread to create a column in your Blackboard gradebook.
- Individual VoiceThread: Display a single VoiceThread for viewing or discussion.
- Course View: Allow access to all shared VoiceThreads in the course.
- VT Home Page: Provide a full VoiceThread dashboard experience that includes all VoiceThreads each person has access to individually.
- Create a Graded Assignment
- Click the VoiceThread link you created.
- Select Assignment Builder.
- Choose the assignment type:
- Comment: Students are required to make a comment on a VoiceThread you create.
- Create: Students create their own VoiceThread using slides, videos, images, or documents.
- Watch: Students have to watch or listen to an entire VoiceThread.
- Select or create the VoiceThread content.
- Set participation requirements (e.g., number of comments).
- Enter assignment details (title, instructions, dates).
- Choose assessment settings of percentage, complete/incomplete, points, or select Use a rubric to set the settings and add your rubric.
- Click Publish.
- Set Gradebook Options
- Return to your Blackboard course.
- Open the VoiceThread link settings (⋯ menu → Edit).
- Check to make sure your points match what you selected in the assignment builder.
- A Gradebook column will be automatically created.
- Grade Student Work
- Click the VoiceThread assignment link.
- Review student submissions and participation.
- Enter grades within the VoiceThread grading interface.
- Grades automatically sync with the Blackboard Gradebook.
- Tips for Blackboard Ultra Integration
- Always access VoiceThread through Blackboard to ensure proper enrollment and grade syncing.
- Use clear, consistent naming (e.g., “Week 5 VoiceThread Discussion”).
- Place VoiceThread links within modules to align with weekly content.
- Provide students with brief instructions or a short orientation video.
- Keep presentations concise and focused.
- Provide clear instructions and expectations for student participation.
- Model effective commenting by demonstrating audio or video responses.
- Use prompts that encourage critical thinking and reflection.
- Provide timely feedback using multimedia commenting tools.
Educators are encouraged to share the following resources with students to support successful VoiceThread use:
Suggested Practice for Educators to Support Students
- Link the Student Help Hub directly within your VoiceThread assignment
- Provide a short orientation or demo the first time students use VoiceThread
- Clearly communicate assignment expectations (number of comments, type of response, due dates)
- Provide captions or transcripts for audio/video content.
- Use clear, readable text on slides.
- Offer alternative formats when possible.
- Encourage students to use multiple ways to participate.