VoiceThread
VoiceThread is a cloud-based application that allows users to upload, share and discuss documents, presentations, images, audio files and videos. Over 50 different types of media can be shared in VoiceThread. Users can comment on VoiceThread slides using one of five commenting options: microphone, webcam, text, phone and audio-file upload. Additionally, using VoiceThread's "doodle" tool, you can markup or annotate the multimedia you have uploaded when leaving a typed, video or audio comment. Users can keep a VoiceThread private, share it with specific people, or open it to all.
How Can You Use VoiceThread in the Classroom?
Basic Online Presentations:
VoiceThread provides a quick, easy way for instructors to transfer their presentations to an online format. By turning a VoiceThread’s comments off, instructors can provide a basic, lecture-style presentation to their students. VoiceThread allows presenters to create presentations one slide at a time, which means that they can create their presentations and add narration when it best suits their schedule.
Flipping the Classroom:
There is a lot of buzz in education now about “flipping the classroom.” The idea behind flipped classrooms is simple: instructional information is delivered online outside of the classroom, leaving time for discussion and “homework” during scheduled class time. VoiceThread can help instructors begin the task of flipping their classroom.
Video Assessment and Review:
VoiceThread makes it easy to thoroughly analyze and comment on issues within the context of a video presentation. To do this, instructors can provide in-video text feedback while the video is playing. Both the presenter and the presentation grader benefit from this tool. The student/presenter receives the comments regarding their performance as they watch their presentation. The grader no longer has to grade all presentations in real-time, but can review the presentations when time allows and provide feedback at specific points in the presentation.
Online Asynchronous Review Sessions:
VoiceThread allows instructors to post questions and for students to answer those questions whenever and wherever it’s most convenient for them. Students also can post their own questions via the comment function, so that the instructor can log in when she/he has time to review those questions. This ability for asynchronous review eliminates the challenge of getting all students coordinated for reviews at the same time.
Language Courses:
VoiceThread allows students to practice the spoken portion of their language class online, hear other students practicing and receive feedback regarding their performance. Instructors can post words, sentences and paragraphs for the students to repeat in the comments. The instructor can hear their students speak the language online, eliminating the need for real-time oral exams, which can leave more time for in-class language exercises.
Sign Language Instruction
VoiceThread helps students learn sign language by allowing them to practice sign language and submit via video for the instructor to review. Instructors also can post examples of signs and ask students to repeat them. Or, instructors can post written words or phrases and ask the students to sign the words or phrases via video comment in VoiceThread.
KU faculty, staff and students can use VoiceThread at no cost using their KU online ID and password from any computer with a Web browser and Internet connection. System requirements: Adobe Flash latest version.
KU faculty, staff and students can use VoiceThread at no cost using their KU online ID and password from any computer with a Web browser and Internet connection. System requirements: Adobe Flash latest version.
KU faculty, staff and students can use VoiceThread at no cost using their KU online ID and password from any computer with a Web browser and Internet connection. System requirements: Adobe Flash latest version.
VoiceThread is a cloud-based application. No software installation is required.
Our Educational Technologists are available to help if you have any questions or concerns, including help creating class groups, posting VoiceThread boards to your Blackboard course or using VoiceThread for the first time.
Contact KU Educational Technology at itedtech@ku.edu or 785-864-2600.
KU Technology Training Workshops: VoiceThread Workshop
For technical support and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the VoiceThread Knowledge Base Articles. If you need help creating class groups, posting VoiceThread boards to your Blackboard course or using VoiceThread for the first time, contact KU Educational Technology at itedtech@ku.edu or 785-864-2600.
