VoiceThread
VoiceThread is a multimodal conversation platform for creating interactive presentations and discussions. Students and instructors can gather around shared slides, images, documents, videos, or audio and comment using voice, video, text, and annotations.
Cost
No costAudience
Students, faculty & staffPurpose
Student engagementCanvas integration
Supports single sign-on and gradebook syncingGetting started
- In Canvas, add VoiceThread to a module as an External Tool for a non-graded activity.
- For a graded activity, create a Canvas assignment, choose External Tool as the submission type, and select VoiceThread.
- Open the VoiceThread link in a new window to authenticate, verify or register the account if prompted.
- Choose the activity type students should see, such as an individual VoiceThread, course view, VT home, or assignment builder.
Activity examples
- Create media-rich discussions where students comment directly on slides, videos, images or documents.
- Use create assignments for student presentations, demonstrations of skills or submitted work that needs feedback.
- Use comment assignments for graded discussions, quizzes, public speaking, language practice or poetry readings.
Compare your options
Use VoiceThread when the activity depends on students responding to shared media, practicing oral communication, annotating content or giving feedback on presentations. Canvas Discussions and Ed Discussion are better for text-based interaction, while Zoom is better for real-time conversation or live presentation.
| Tool | Best for | Use instead of VoiceThread when |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas Discussions | Text-based discussion prompts, replies, and graded participation inside Canvas | The activity is a simple written discussion, and students do not need to comment on slides, images, audio or video. |
| Ed Discussion | Structured Q&A, course help forums, endorsed answers, and searchable student questions | The goal is to troubleshoot, answer repeat questions, or build a class knowledge base. |
| Zoom | Live presentation, real-time discussion, screen sharing, and synchronous demonstrations | Students need to meet, present, or discuss together at the same time. |
| VoiceThread | Asynchronous media-based discussion, oral responses, annotation, and peer feedback | The activity centers on shared media, and students need time to watch, listen, speak, annotate, and respond at their own pace. |
FAQ
Access VoiceThread from the Canvas course link. The Canvas launch authenticates users and enrolls them in the course community.
The Assignment Builder supports creating, commenting, and watching assignments, with grading that can pass back to the Canvas gradebook.
A creator can share a VoiceThread for viewing, commenting, or editing. ASU guidance notes that collaborators should open shared links in the same browser in which they are logged in to the course site.
Accessibility, privacy, and other considerations
Accessibility
- Use clear prompts, readable slide materials, and captions or transcripts when media comments are required.
- Offer comment options that match the learning goal, such as text, audio, video or annotation.
Privacy and course use
- Use Canvas-connected VoiceThread spaces for course activities so access and enrollment stay aligned with the course.
- Set sharing permissions intentionally, especially when students need to comment, edit, view classmates' work, or submit graded assignments.
Resources
Use these resources to learn VoiceThread basics, Canvas setup, assignment options and sharing practices.
ASU resources
Tool resources
Get support
Need technical help?
For course setup questions, instructors should work with their Instructional Designer or local academic technology support. For platform-specific help, use the VoiceThread how-to and support resources
Want to explore ways to use this tool in your course?
Learning Experience (LX) offers workshops and consultations where you can explore how VoiceThread or other enterprise technologies might support your teaching goals.