VoiceThread - Blogs at Maryville University

Getting Started with:
VoiceThread
Maryville University
Learning Design & Technology
Duchesne 170
learn@maryville.edu
(314) 529-9316
http://blogs.maryville.edu/learn/
Revised: November 2011

VoiceThread: Getting Started
Quick Guide
Revised: Fall 2011
VoiceThread is a web-based application that is used for asynchronous discussions. Through VoiceThread, you
have the ability to upload images, video, documents, and webpages. Then students and instructors can
comment in their own time by adding text, voice recordings, and webcam recordings. For further information
on what a VoiceThread is, and what it can do, visit http://voicethread.com/share/409/.
Step 1: Login to VoiceThread
1. Go to http://VoiceThread.com and click on “Sign in or Register” in the upper right hand corner of the
browser.
2. Enter your email address and password. Select “Sign in.”
3. Once you log in, there are three tabs you need to understand and focus on.
This is where you
can view public
VoiceThreads
This is where you
can create your
own VoiceThreads
This is where you will
find the VoiceThreads
YOU created
Click your email address to:
-edit personal information
-change your password
-upload a picture/avatar
Step 2: Tips and Tricks
How to leverage VoiceThread for online teaching and learning, visit: http://voicethread.com/share/908650/.
Ideas for how to use VoiceThread in YOUR classroom, visit: http://voicethread.com/about/library/.
Step 3: Plan your VoiceThread
Before you actually create a VoiceThread, you need to plan! First, gather all of your resources, or make sure
you know where there are located. Remember, you can upload images, videos, PowerPoint files, Word
documents, Excel charts, and audio clips. Also, keep in mind that you can record videos of yourself from a
webcam from the VoiceThread interface when building your presentation.
Full list of accepted files: https://VoiceThread.com/support/howto/Troubleshooting/File_types_accepted/.
After you collect all of your materials you first need to decide which order you want the documents to be in.
Then, write out a short script of comments you plan on leaving on each slide. Keep in mind you need to
provide minimal commentary AND though provoking questions. Don’t overdo it! Remember, VoiceThread
works best when the materials lead to a conversation NOT a lecture.
Contacts
Sam Harris
Learning Design & Technology
sharris@maryville.edu
(314) 529-9316

VoiceThread: Adding Content
Quick Guide
Revised: Fall 2011
Adding content to a VoiceThread is extremely easy. All you have to do is upload your favorite images, videos,
or documents, arrange them in the proper order, and your finished!
Step 1: Add Content
Select the “Create” tab, and then choose “Upload.” From here you will be presented with a few options for
adding content into your VoiceThread.
Step 2: Arrange Your Content
VoiceThread automatically arranges content in the order it was uploaded. It is, however; possible to rearrange,
rotate, and delete content that has been added. To rearrange the slides, click on a slide (a yellow outline will
appear around it), then move it left/right or up/down with you mouse. To rotate an image, select the image,
and choose the “rotate tools” on the slide preview. To delete a slide, select it, and choose the “delete” tool on
the slide preview. Remember to add a
title to the presentation before moving
on to “commenting.”
Add Presentation Title
Rotate Image
Add Slide Title
Delete Slide
Additional Contact Information
• Demonstration of how to quickly create a VoiceThread in 1 minute: http://VoiceThread.com/share/8381/
• In-depth look at how to create a VoiceThread: http://VoiceThread.com/share/724033/
Contact
Sam Harris
Learning Design & Technology
sharris@maryville.edu
(314) 529-9316

VoiceThread: Commenting
Quick Guide
Revised: Fall 2011
Once you’ve uploaded and organized the content in your VoiceThread, you are ready to start commenting!
There are several different options for commenting on a VoiceThread. These include; telephone (audio),
webcam (video/audio), microphone (audio), typed comments (no audio/video), and uploading pre-recorded
comment (audio only). Any of these comments are acceptable, however; video and audio tend to be more
engaging and easier to follow. This document will only highlight how to use audio, video, and text commenting.
To learn about the other options available, visit; VoiceThread Support page
Step 1: Comment on a VoiceThread
Open the desired VoiceThread, navigate to the slide you want to comment on, and select one of the “comment”
tools
1 2 3 4 5 1. Via your Cellphone (Audio only) – requires “credits” to do so
2. Via your Webcam (Integrated Audio and Video)
3. Via your Microphone (Audio only)
4. Type in your text comments (No Audio/Video)
5. Upload a pre-recorded comment (Audio only)
Video (#2)
The first time that you insert an video
comment, you will be asked to give
VoiceThread access to your webcam.
Select,
Audio (#3)
The first time that you insert an audio
comment, you will be asked to give
VoiceThread access to your microphone.
Select,
Text (#4)
While audio comments are generally far
more engaging than text comments,
many teachers and students feel
uncomfortable recording their own
voices!
If your webcam is functioning properly,
the video you are recording should
appear in a white bubble on the side of
the VoiceThread page (slide).
Your recorded comment will then be
played back for your approval. If you are
satisfied with its quality, select
If you’d like to re‐record, select
When you click save, the comment will
appear on the sidebar and your video will
play on the left.
When you are finished recording your
audio comment, select
Your recorded comment will then be
played back for your approval. If you are
satisfied with its quality, select
If you’d like to re‐record, select
Each new comment is identified by an
icon in the sidebar of the image.
For these users, text comments may be
more appropriate. To add a text
comment, select Type from the
commenting toolbar at the bottom of
each image.
A speech bubble will appear above the
icon representing the identity of the
commenter (you!).
Begin typing a written comment into
the speech bubble and then select
Your comment will automatically be
added to the image—and your icon will
appear in the sidebar.
Additional Information
• To learn how to “doodle” on the VoiceThread slides, visit http://VoiceThread.com/share/711/.
• To learn about “comment moderation,” visit http://VoiceThread.com/share/718/.
Contact
Sam Harris
Learning Design & Technology
sharris@maryville.edu
(314) 529-9316

VoiceThread: Sharing
Quick Guide
Revised: Fall 2011
By now, you should have uploaded content and commented on your VoiceThread. The next step is to share it
with others! However; remember to first “save” the VoiceThread. To save your VoiceThread, you need to give it
a title (see the “VoiceThread-Adding Content” for details). Once you give it a title, it will automatically be saved
under the “my voice” tab.
Step 1: Edit Share Settings
While in the “Create” tab, in the lower left hand part of the
screen, there are four buttons that allow you to control
playback and access to your VoiceThread:
Click “Playback Options” to reveal the available options for
HOW the VoiceThread is viewed.
Click “Publishing Options” to control WHO can view,
comment and otherwise control your presentation, as
shown at left. Remember VoiceThreads are private by
default, so you need to change these settings!
Step 2: Share with Other !
Once you have specified your preferred Playback and
Publishing options, you are ready to share your VoiceThread.
If you have just completed editing the VoiceThread, click
Step 3: Share. Otherwise, if you are returning to your
VoiceThread after having saved it, go to the MyVoice tab,
and then click the little gear shift above the word Menu for
that presentation. It will reveal these options. Click Share.
See below for ways to share your VoiceThread.
Share URL
Once you click Share, you will see
Click here to copy the URL for this
VoiceThread.
IMPORTANT!! Never copy the URL
from the address bar in your browser.
You must use the “get a link” button,
otherwise this will not work!
Share Exclusively
You have the option to share your
VoiceThread exclusively with any
individual, so long as they have an
email address. VoiceThread will even
send them an invite to participate.
To do this, under “Step 3: Share,”
select “add +” to add the contact
information. When finished choose
“send invite.”
Embed into D2L
To learn how to obtain the embed
code, visit;
http://VoiceThread.com/share/805/
You can then copy this embed code,
and place the VoiceThread into D2L
content, discussion boards, news
items by using the “insert stuff” tool,
and selecting “enter embed code.”
Contact
Sam Harris
Learning Design & Technology
sharris@maryville.edu
(314) 529-9316