One of the most common uses of Voicethread is a simple video discussion board: students participate in an asynchronous threaded discussion in response to a prompt, but instead of text, their replies are in the form of a video (or audio, and/or additional options). In this use case, there will not be a lot of "source media": typically just the prompt, in the form of an initial video from the facilitator, or single slide on which the prompt is displayed.
Described here is one method for implementing this activity. This method is the right choice for the following scenario:
Instructions: Canvas Assignment + Voicethread Assignment (Graded in Voicethread)
Step 1: Create New Canvas Assignment
- In Canvas, navigate to the course where you intend to include the VoiceThread assignment.
- Create a new assignment: Click on the “Assignments” link in the Course Navigation Menu, then click on gold “+ Assignment” button on top right of screen. Alternatively, you could create the Assignment directly within a Module
- Set up Canvas Assignment parameters (due date, instructions etc.) Note: it is important to set your due dates and availability dates here, in Canvas, even if you also input them in the Voicethread assignment Settings (Step 2.10 below). These settings do not pass back to Canvas.
Step 2: Create Voicethread Assignment and Link to Assignment
- Under “Submission Type,” select "External Tool," then click “Find.” Scroll down and click on “VoiceThread.”
- Click on “Assignment Builder”
- Select “Comment” and then “Continue” at the bottom of pop-window.
- Click "Instructor's Voicethread" and then "Continue"
- Click “+Create New VoiceThread” (blue link on the right). Alternatively, if you have a previously created a VoiceThread you would like to re-use, you can select it below
- In the “Let’s Get Started” window, you can select different types of media, such as video, images, documents, or slides. The most common types for this activity would be "Add from Device" (to upload a file such as a powerpoint or video file) or "Record a Video"
- After adding your media, you will have the option to add additional media and to add titles to the Voicethread and individual slides, but it is not necessary to do any of that. Click "continue" twice. This will take you to the "Participation Requirements" screen.
- Choose settings for how the students will engage with this Voicethread. The most important settings to set are "number of comments required" and "Select which comment types will be allowed" (Video, Audio, text, etc).
- Click "Continue"
- Fill out “Assignment Name,” “Assignment Instructions,” “Due Date” and any other information as desired. It is not necessary to fill out all these fields, especially if you have already input an assignment description and/or due date in Canvas. Any info you input here will NOT be passed back to Canvas, except for whether the grade will be passed as a percentage, points, or Complete/Incomplete. Click “Publish” when finished.
- You will be redirected to back to the "Configure External Tool" pop-up window in Canvas. Click "Select" again. Finally, scroll down to the bottom of the assignment and click “Save” or “Save and Publish.”
Grading
To grade your students’ submissions, just return to the assignment you have set up already. As the instructor, you will always see the grading interface, which is different than what the students see.
On the right side of the grading interface, you will see your course roster. If a student is missing from the roster, it means that student has not clicked into your assignment at all yet, but they will appear as soon as they do. When you click on a student’s name, their submission will open on the left, and then you can enter the grade into the text box on the right. After entering grade (or selecting complete/incomplete), press Enter on your keyboard.
The grades you enter in Voicethread will be automatically passed back to Canvas.
For additional details, videos, and screenshots, see Voicethread Guide Grading assignments