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 NOT be graded (to implement as a graded activity see Voicethread Activity #2 and Voicethread Activity #3)
• The activity will be placed on a Page within a Canvas Module. Alternative placements are possible but the method described here is the recommended best practice.

Instructions: Canvas Page + Voicethread Link

Step 1: Create New Canvas Page

1. In Canvas, navigate to the course where you intend to include the VoiceThread activity.
2. Navigate to Modules, and select the Module where you would like to add the Voicethread activity.
3. Click the + button on the right side of the gray module bar to add a new item to the Module.
4. In the pop-up window, there will be a drop-down menu at the top. Select "Page" from that drop down.
5. From the list that appears, click "[Create Page]" to make a new page. Then enter a Page Name in the field below.
6. Finally, click "Add Item"

Step 2: Create Voicethread and Add to Page

1. Click on the (new) Page to open it, then click "Edit" (pencil button) at the top right.
2. In the Page description (under Page Title), write your activity instructions. Then click on the "electrical plug" icon in the text editor menu bar. 
3. 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.
4. Select "Individual Voicethread"
5. 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
6. 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"
7. 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.
8. 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).
9. Click Continue
10. Enter an Activity Name. This is how the link will appear in your Canvas Assignment description. It can be changed in Canvas later.
11. Click Publish.
12. Scroll to the bottom of your Page and click "Save" or "Save and Publish"

Additional Resources

View Example of Video Discussion Board with Slide as Source Media.