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 below is one method for implementing this activity. This method is most appropriate for the following scenario:

• The activity will be graded (to implement as an ungraded activity, see Voicethread Activity #1)
• Grades will be entered in Canvas (if grading in Voicethread is preferred, see Voicethread Activity #3)

Instructions: Canvas Assignment + Individual Voicethread in Assignment Description (Graded in Canvas)

Step 1: Make New Canvas Assignment

1. In Canvas, navigate to the course where you intend to include the VoiceThread assignment.
2. Create a new assignment: Click on the “Assignments” link in the Course Navigation Menu, then click the gold “+ Assignment” button on top right of screen. Alternatively, you could create the Assignment directly within a Module
3. Set up Canvas Assignment parameters (due date, points, instructions etc.)
4. Under “Submission Type,” select "No Submission"

Step 2: Create Voicethread and Add to Assignment

1. In the Assignment description (under Assignment Name), write your assignment instructions. Then click on the "electrical plug" icon in the text editor menu bar. 
2. Select "Voicethread." If you do not see Voicethread in the drop-down menu, click "View All" and then select Voicethread from the Pop-up Menu.
3. Select "Individual Voicethread"
4. 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
5. In the “Let’s Get Started” window, you can add 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"
6. 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.
7. On the next screen, you can configure settings. Most can be left as-is. The most important settings is"Select which comment types will be allowed" (Video, Audio, text, etc).
8. Click Continue
9. Enter an Activity Name. This is how the link will appear in your Canvas Assignment description. It can be changed in Canvas later.
10. Click Publish.
11. Scroll to the bottom of your assignment and click "Save" or "Save and Publish"

Grading

To grade this assignment, you will simply view the student comments in Voicethread and enter grades manually in the Canvas Gradebook. It will be helpful to have a 2-monitor setup, with the VT activity on one monitor and the Gradebook in other, otherwise you will have to either flip back and forth, or jot down grades on paper as you view.