VOICETHREAD

VoiceThread is a visual discussion tool, this page contains basic how-to instructions for students who are about to participate in their first VoiceThread.

Required Tools

To fully utilize VoiceThread, you will need the following programs & devices:

1. Adobe Flash (needs to be latest version)
2. A stable web browser: Chrome, Firefox, or Safari
3. A keyboard, microphone you can use with your device, or a web cam

Options for Access

1. You may view/interact with the embedded VoiceThread that may be in your class pages
   1. If you are prompted to log in your CatMail credentials should work. If they don't please use one of the options below to be automatically logged in to your classes' VoiceThreads.
2. You may go to the link in the navigation for your class (look under Communication) to be taken to the VoiceThread webpage where you will be able to view a full-size version of the VoiceThread. Note: Some students prefer this method and find it easier to work with.

Once you are in VoiceThread you can look at the bottom right sie of the screen for MyVoice to find tutorials.

A First Look

Below is an illustration showing one slide of a VoiceThread. You can tell there are more slides to view because there is an arrow icon in the lower right corner. Five different people have already commented on this slide (count the avatars that line the left and right side of the slide). But there are six comments that have been made on this slide (count the number of segments in the gray bar beneath the slide) -- so one person has left two comments.

You can listen to/read the comments by clicking the play button (center arrow), clicking on each avatar or clicking on the gray segments beneath the image. When you are ready to leave a comment, you need to

1. Sign In or Register (this step should be automatically done for you in your UA D2L class)
2. Click the Comment button (if there is no comment button, the creator has elected to disable this feature)

How to Participate

How to Leave Your First Comment

After you have clicked on the "Comment" button, the Comment Options Panel is revealed (see screenshot below). As you can see, VoiceThread provides plenty of commenting options. All you need to do is listen to or read the comments left by others (if any) and then think about what you want to contribute to the conversation, analysis or activity. Keep in mind is the fact that you can delete any comment after youʼve made it, so don't feel anxious.

To make your comment, click on the appropriate icon for the type of comment you wish to contribute (see image below for explanation), leave your comment, preview it, CLICK SAVE and then you'll see your avatar appear on the slide, with any other avatars of users who have commented previously. If you want to delete your comment at any time, just play it back and click on the garbage can icon that appears in your comment box. Only YOU (and the author/editors of the VoiceThread) can delete YOUR comments. That's it!

VoiceThreads to View

A little extra help...

• "How do I go to the next slide?" Click on the "right arrow" icon in the right corner to click to the next slide.
• "I can't see a comment button." If you don't see the comment button, that means you aren't signed in yet. New users must "Register." Click on the square box that says "Sign in or Register."
• For all types of assignments you can review The Official Student Guide from VoiceThread and UA tutorials
• For more help, be sure to go to the VoiceThread link in your class, not through one embedded in a page. From there you can:
  • Click on the "My Voice" tab to view help tutorials that are automatically shared with you when you create your account.
  • Click on "Support" at the top of the page to access:
    • How To: step-by-step answers to commonly asked questions, such as How To Comment.
    • Manuals: Pretty printable documents to guide you as you work.
    • Troubleshooting -- Common problems including "Why isn't my webcam working?" and "Why can't I hear my comment?