VoiceThread: Instructor Guide for Canvas Integration
VoiceThread is an interactive collaboration tool that allows instructors and students to share media (images, documents, presentations, and videos) and participate in asynchronous conversations using text, audio, or video comments. This guide outlines how instructors can add VoiceThread links to a Canvas course and create graded VoiceThread assignments.
Adding a Non-Graded VoiceThread to a Module
If you want to share a VoiceThread for students to view or participate in without attaching a grade to the activity, the best method is to add it directly to a Canvas Module as an External Tool.
- Navigate to the Modules page in your Canvas course.
- Click the + (Add Item) button at the top right of the module where you want the VoiceThread to appear.
- In the "Add" drop-down menu, select External Tool.
- Scroll through the list of tools and select VoiceThread.
- The VoiceThread Setup menu will launch. Choose one of the following display options:
- Course View: Displays a gallery of all VoiceThreads that have been shared with this specific Canvas course.
- Individual VoiceThread: Directs students to one specific VoiceThread presentation that you select. (Most common option).
- VT Home Page: Takes students to their own personal VoiceThread dashboard, showing all their individual threads across all courses.
- If you selected Individual VoiceThread, select the specific VoiceThread you want to share, or click "Create a new VoiceThread."
- Click Add Item to finish adding the link to your module. Remember to Publish the item so students can see it.
Creating a Graded VoiceThread Assignment
To require student participation in a VoiceThread and tie it to the Canvas Gradebook, you must create a standard Canvas Assignment and connect VoiceThread as the submission type.
Important Setting: Do not check the box for "Load this tool in a new tab." Loading VoiceThread in the same window allows the grading interface to sync seamlessly with the Canvas Gradebook.
- In your Canvas course menu, click Assignments.
- Click the + Assignment button in the top right corner.
- Enter the assignment Name, Description, Points Possible, and Assignment Group.
- Scroll down to the Submission Type section. Select External Tool from the drop-down menu.
- Click the Find button and select VoiceThread from the list.
- The VoiceThread Assignment Builder will launch. You must choose one of three assignment types:
- Create a VoiceThread: Students must build their own VoiceThread (upload media) and submit it for a grade.
- Submit a Comment: Students must open a VoiceThread you created and record a specific number of comments (audio, video, or text) to earn a grade.
- Watch a VoiceThread: Students are required to simply watch a VoiceThread from start to finish to earn a grade.
- Select the specific VoiceThread you want to use (or create a new one), configure the specific requirements (e.g., require 2 comments), and click Create Assignment within the VoiceThread popup.
- Click Select to close the Canvas External Tool popup.
- Set your Due Dates and click Save & Publish at the bottom of the Canvas assignment settings.
Grading Student VoiceThread Submissions
VoiceThread has a custom grading interface built directly into Canvas. Do not use SpeedGrader to grade VoiceThread assignments. The VoiceThread grader automatically keeps track of student completion requirements and sends the final score to the Canvas Gradebook.
Pro-Tip: Because VoiceThread overrides Canvas SpeedGrader, you will not see standard Canvas notifications when a student submits a VoiceThread assignment. You will need to click on the assignment periodically to check the VoiceThread grader for new submissions.
- Navigate to your Canvas Assignments page and click on the title of the VoiceThread assignment.
- The assignment will load within Canvas, displaying the VoiceThread grading panel on the right side of the screen.
- On the right panel, you will see a list of students divided into categories (e.g., Submitted, Unsubmitted).
- Click on a student's name in the "Submitted" list.
If it was a "Submit a Comment" assignment, you will immediately see/hear the specific comments that student left. If it was a "Create" assignment, you will see the VoiceThread they built.
- Enter a percentage score in the grade box next to the student's name (e.g., 100).
- Hit the Enter key on your keyboard to submit the grade. The score will immediately sync to the Canvas Gradebook.