VoiceThread
What is VoiceThread
VoiceThread is a media aggregator allowing for voice and text annotations to be added to an artifact (a document, slide presentation, video, image, etc.). Students and instructors can post visual media and allow their peers and other class members to comment in threaded conversations.
What is the purpose of VoiceThread
VoiceThread was designed to expand upon common modes of presentation available online. In being able to incorporate media from a variety of sources upon which comments - audio or text based - can be layered, the application offers new ways of presenting, sharing, discussing, and assessing.
How to use VoiceThread
Potential pedagogical uses are vast. VoiceThread can be used as:
- An enhanced discussion forum
- An assessment and feedback tool. Students can submit a document or video demonstrating their work. Others (the instructor or peers) can verbally or textually critique or comment.
- A portfolio tool. Students can submit artifacts then annotate their work by including voice, video, and text explanations of what they have done. Their peers can then view the "gallery" of work each of them have submitted.
VoiceThread can be integrated into both OWL Sakai and OWL Brightspaces courses.
Where to find Support
This tool is centrally supported
Support
For help, you can contact the WTS Helpdesk
Documentation
For more information on VoiceThread, visit the WTS support page. For technical documentation, please refer to the VoiceThread Documentation.
Tool Evaluation
Functionality
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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ScaleVoiceThread has the ability to divide the class into groups. However with very large classes, the tool may become difficult to manage. |
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Ease of UseVoiceThread has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and personalize |
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Tech Support/Help AvailabilityWestern technical support/help documentation is readily available. See the VoiceThread page in OWL Documentation Wiki or contact the Helpdesk |
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HypermedialityVoiceThread allows users to communicate through different channels (audio, visual, textual) and allows for non-sequential, flexible/adaptive engagement with material |
Accessibility
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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AODA FriendlyVoiceThread meets accessibility guidelines (AODA and the W3C WCAG 2.0 standards). See VoiceThread Accessibility Features. Accessibility features include closed captioning, compatibility with screen readers, etc. |
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User-focused participationVoiceThread is designed to address the needs of diverse users, their various literacies, and capabilities, thereby widening opportunities for participation in learning |
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Required EquipmentProper use of VoiceThread requires equipment that is common and/or purchased at a low cost. For the best use of VoiceThread the users must have a microphone and/or a webcam. |
Technical
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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OWL IntegrationVoiceThread can be embedded and fully integrated into OWL maintaining full functionality of the tool |
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Operating SystemsUsers can effectively utilize VoiceThread with any standard, up-to-date operating system (i.e. Windows, OSX, etc.) |
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Web BrowserAccording to VoiceThread's browser requirements, VoiceThread is supported in full in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. VoiceThreads can be opened and viewed, but audio and video cannot be recorded in the Safari and Microsoft Edge. As these browsers evolve to support HTML5, this may change. For the best possible experience, your web browser should be fully up to date, but at minimum no more than two versions behind. |
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Additional Tech RequirementsUsers can effectively utilize the tool without any browser extensions or downloaded software |
Mobile Design
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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Mobile Operating SystemsVoiceThread is accessible through native iPhone and Android applications |
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Mobile FunctionalityBasic features of VoiceThread are functional on the mobile app but advanced features are limited |
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Offline AccessWith the proper permissions, VoiceThread content can be downloaded for offline consumption |
Usage and Account Set Up
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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Sign Up/Sign InUsers do not need to manually create an account for themselves. When they access VoiceThread through OWL, a user account is created on their behalf and user information (name, email address, and role information) is passed to VoiceThread from OWL |
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Cost of UseWestern has a campus-wide license. All aspects of VoiceThread can be used free of charge by the Western community |
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Archiving, Saving, and Exporting DataVoiceThread limits the number of times that you are able to export content. To export you require export credits, however some export credits are included with the licence. When you export you are able to download all media, comments, and annotations that exist on the live version of the VoiceThread |
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Data Privacy and OwnershipUsers maintain ownership and copyright of their intellectual property/data; the user can keep data private and decide if/how data is to be shared |
Social Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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CollaborationVoiceThread has the capacity to support a community of learning through both asynchronous and synchronous opportunities for communication, interactivity, and transfer of meaning between users |
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User AccountabilityInstructors can control student anonymity; VoiceThread provides technical solutions for holding students accountable for their actions |
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DiffusionStudent familiarity with VoiceThread is likely mixed, some will lack basic technical competence with its functions |
Instructor Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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FacilitationVoiceThread has easy-to-use features that would significantly improve an instructor’s ability to be present with students via active management, monitoring, and engagement |
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CustomizationVoiceThread is adaptable to its environment: easily customized to suit the classroom context and targeted learning outcomes |
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Learning AnalyticsInstructors can monitor students’ performance on a variety of responsive measures |
Cognitive Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s)VoiceThread has the potential to enhance engagement in targeted cognitive task(s) that were once overly complex or inconceivable through other means |
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Higher Order ThinkingVoiceThread has the potential to facilitate students in exercising higher order thinking skills (given consideration to design, facilitation, and direction from instructor) |
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Feedback on LearningThrough VoiceThread, students can regularly receive formative feedback on learning (i.e. they can track their performance, monitor their improvement, test their knowledge, etc.) |
Security and Privacy
This tool has been formally reviewed by Western’s Technology Risk Assessment Committee
Security and Privacy Flags
Information Collection
- Application collects information that could identify the user specifically (email address, class schedule, etc..)
EULA
- Application's Terms of Conditions or End User License Agreement poses a risk of binding the institution to an agreement thereby requiring legal counsel to review the application. However, this is mitigated as it has undergone legal review during the Technology Risk Assessment process.
Integration
- This application transmits data (grades, student data, etc...) to or from a Western system of record
Last Updated: March 5, 2024
Rubric
The eLearning Toolkit Evaluations are made available under the terms of the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence
Feedback
Leave feedback to comment or request that the tool be re-reviewed
Topic at a Glance
VoiceThread is a media aggregator allowing for voice and text annotations to be added to an artifact (a document, slide presentation, video, image, etc.)
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