VoiceThread

Accessing VoiceThread

• Go to Google Drive.
• Click Waffle
• Then, scroll down and click on More, locate and click VoiceThread. (If this is your first time accessing VT then Google will push your PSB username and password to VT so your login will be one and the same.)

Make a VoiceThread

• Click Create to create a blank VoiceThread.
• Learn more about creating a VoiceThread at: https://voicethread.com/howto/creating-a-new-voicethread-2/

Add Content

When the page loads, you can drag files to the middle of the page and release them. VoiceThread will begin importing them instantly.

If the user clicks + Add Media, then the page refreshes and the user sees a new menu o media import and creation tools. Each option is explained further below

• My Computer → source media (e.g. images, audio/mp3, video/mp4 files) from the desktop on your computer or elsewhere
• Media Sources → Users can import content stored in their personal VoiceThread account, plus Google Drive , Flickr, Khan Academy, and the New York Public Library digital collection.
• Audio Recording → Use the built-in mic on a computer to capture audio
• Webcam Photo or Video → Use the built-in camera on a computer to capture a photo or video
• URL → Images and videos can be imported from other websites as long as the user has the URL that points directly to that piece of media. These URLs usually end in a file extension like .jpg or .mp4.
• Learn more about uploading at: https://voicethread.com/howto/uploading-files-from-your-computer/

Add a Title and Description

• After adding at least one slide to a VoiceThread, the user will be able to give the VoiceThread a title, description, and tags. Click add a title and description below the + Add Media button to do this.
• Learn more about adding a title at: https://voicethread.com/howto/adding-a-title-description-and-tags-2/

Add Comments

1. Open the VoiceThread
2. Navigate to the slide on which you’d like to record a comment.
3. At the bottom of that slide click + to access commenting options.
4. There are five commenting options to choose from. (See Below)

• Text - Click ABC. Type your text comment. Click Save. NOTE: You can enter a URL in a text comment, and it will be hyperlinked automatically.
• Audio from a Microphone - Click microphone button (click Allow on the permissions pop-up if prompted). After the countdown is complete, begin recording your comment. Click red flashing light at the bottom of the screen to stop recording. The comment will begin playing. Click Save to save it or Discard to cancel and try again.
• Video from a Webcam - Click Camera Icon (click Allow on the Flash permissions box if prompted). After the countdown is complete, begin recording your comment. Click red flashing light at the bottom of the screen to stop recording. The comment will begin playing. Click Save to save it or Discard to cancel and try again.
• Audio or video from a Pre-Recorded File - Click Upload Icon. Browse for the video or audio file you wish to upload and select it. Wait for the file to finish processing. You’ll know it’s done because the spinning wheel over your Identity image on the left will disappear.
• Audio from a Telephone - Click Telephone Icon. Enter your 10-digit phone number (US and Canada only). Click Call Me. When your phone rings, pick it up and record your comment when prompted. Hang up to save.

Learn more about commenting at: https://brookline.ed.voicethread.com/myvoice/thread/6715336/40601125

Reply to a Comment

There are three ways you can reply to a comment on a VoiceThread. Click the links below to be taken to guidance on how to reply

• Direct Reply (only available to the creator or editor of a VoiceThread. This is perfect for curating your work.)
• Threaded Reply (perfect for student-student discussions)
• Private Reply (perfect for teacher feedback)

Sharing

1. In the VT click Share.
2. When the Share window pops up click Basic on the top and then click Link, Embed, or Post
3. Modify link permissions allowing anyone to view and comment if needed. https://voicethread.com/howto/publishing-a-voicethread/
4. Click Copy Link. This will copy the link to your computer’s clipboard automatically so that you can paste it into the desired location.

Learn more about sharing at: https://voicethread.com/howto-categories/sharing-web-application/

Groups

Voicethread supports the creation of classes or groups within classes using the Groups tool. All educators can create Groups, and we recommend that each educator create his or her own Groups so they can easily manage them. Click the following link for more information on Groups: Overview of Groups and Contacts

1. Towards the left of your screen click on the double arrows to open the sidebar.
2. Click on the “plus” next to the word “Groups”
3. Give the Group a Name → Click on Create Group
4. Choose a banner → click OK
5. Then click on “Copy Link” and then “X” to close this window.
6. Then send this link to your students by whatever digital means you have to reach them, ie Canvas, Classroom or a Google Document. Then once they are apart of this group they would drag and drop their VoiceThreads into this group (which is basically a folder).

Learn more about groups at: https://voicethread.com/howto-categories/groups-and-contacts/

Create Sub-Groups (For Better Discussions)

Create a group for the current academic year and then add sub-groups - one for each course and/or section - to it. Then, within each sub-group, a teacher can create additional groups that will work as student small discussion groups within a course.

• Ex. Group name (2019)
• Sub-group name (2019 > French1)
  • Add’l sub-group name (2019 > French1 > Group A)
  • Add’l sub-group name (2019 > French1 > Group B)
  • Add’l sub-group name (2019 > French1 > Group C)
  • Add’l sub-group name (2019 > French1 > Group D)
  • Add’l sub-group name (2019 > French1 > Group E)

Learn more about creating sub-groups at: https://voicethread.com/howto-categories/sharing-web-application/

VoiceThread and Canvas:

Learn more about how VoiceThread and Canvas can easily mesh: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uBF1e03uuz3I0tWBPcuhTGLFHwJ4VNkcLTiW3IPXsGI/edit?usp=sharing