VoiceThread is a collaborative, multimedia slide show that holds images, documents, and videos and allows people to navigate slides and leave comments in several ways – text, voice, audio file, or webcam. Piloted at UMBC in 2016 by Ancient Studies lecturer, Dr. Tim Phin, VoiceThread is available to any instructor who would like to incorporate this engagement tool into their digital toolkit. With VoiceThread, faculty and students can:
- Demonstrate procedures to help students prepare for a practical exam
- Explain decisions when selecting subjects for a painting’s composition
- Flip a classroom experience to support multiple learning styles
- Foster greater community in large, lecture-based classes
- Interpret linear composition of a painting or note other elements
- Debate the pros and cons of a controversial issue
- Practice foreign language skills during role-play
- Report on field experiences to a national park
- Critique a classmate’s composition
If you are new to VoiceThread or just want some new ideas, join these interactive and hands-on workshops from VoiceThread staff.
Humanize Your Online Course with VoiceThread
March 3 at 7:00pm ET - Register here
Creating engaging online courses is not easy. In many text-heavy courses, students feel isolated and disconnected from their instructors and classmates. VoiceThread bridges the gaps in social presence typically found in online courses. In this workshop, educators will learn how to establish a social presence and connect with their students using VoiceThread to improve course satisfaction and student learning.
VoiceThread and Storytelling
March 10 at 7:00pm ET - Register here
Most cognitive scientists agree that storytelling is a great way to help your message stick in the minds of an audience. Our minds are fine-tuned to remember information shared within a narrative structure, not a broadcast lecture. In this workshop, participants will learn how to use VoiceThread to create engaging stories with their students.
Using VoiceThread for Student Portfolios
March 24 at 7:00pm ET - Register here
If you are interested in learning how to use VoiceThread as a portfolio tool to showcase student work or to provide feedback for their work in progress, we can help. In this workshop, we will showcase a variety of student portfolio examples and collaborate on a shared brainstorm discussion.
About the Workshops
These workshops are completely free. The sessions are led by VoiceThread's instructional designer and online educator George Haines. George will share his expertise to help you get the most from VoiceThread. Participants are provided with a recording link after the session concludes.
- Creating VoiceThreads
- Managing VoiceThread groups
- Moderating VoiceThread comments
- Using VoiceThread in Blackboard
As always, if you have any questions, please consider the following options:
- Check our extensive FAQ collection
- Open a ticket via RT
- Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups
- Sign up for a webinar & other training
- Request a consult with instructional technology staff