VoiceThread’s updated assignment builder is now even better for tracking participation and grades for VoiceThread assignments. And it still integrates directly into Brightspace.
UPDATED: In Summer 2021, the connection between Brightspace and VoiceThread was updated and this caused some slight changes in how the two work together. This post has been updated with these new changes.
Add a VoiceThread Assignment to your content
To add a VoiceThread topic to your content area, click Existing Activities and scroll down to VoiceThread.
You’ll now see a popup window with these option buttons to work with your Voicethread.
Click the Course Builder button to choose from 3 assignment types: Create, Comment, and Watch.
Create assignment
Students will create their own VoiceThreads about your specified topic. These can be automatically added to a student gallery that other students can see and add comments on. It can be graded as a percentage, pass/fail or a specific point value. You can also require to add a certain number of slides to their presentation.
This VoiceThread training video details how to set up a Create assignment.
*NOTE: VoiceThreads created for a create assignment will ONLY show up for this assignment. They will not appear in a student’s list of VoiceThreads if they go to their account.
Comment assignment
Comment assignments require students to add a certain number of comments to a VoiceThread that you have provided. It can be graded as a percentage, pass/fail, or a specific point value. You can also require to add a certain number of slides to end of the current presentation.
Watch assignment
This is the simplest assignment for students because it only requires them to view the entire VoiceThread and comments. This is automatically graded as pass/fail.
These are the same assignment types that were available before with upgraded options like a student gallery. Where we really see big differences is in the tracking and grading.
Rename your Voicethread topic
Now you have a VoiceThread in your content area which by default is titled “A voicethread link”. To change this title, click the divet button next to the title to bring up the context menu. Choose Edit Properties In-place.
Now you can just double click on the VoiceThread title and type in your new title.
Grading & Tracking
After creating the VoiceThread assignment, you now see this grading view. You can quickly see 3 completion labels: submitted, in progress, and unattempted. You can also see what has been graded and send out a reminder notice for incomplete work with 1 click.
Each individual student in the list can be opened up for more options by clicking the divet arrow. Click on a comment date/time in the list to quickly jump to the comment in the VoiceThread. You can also add a percentage grade here. If the comments weren’t satisfactory, choose to unsubmit the assignment for them to do again.
Since you can see that a student is “In Progress” it is easier award partial credit for assignments.
You can set start, due, and close dates for the VoiceThread. This work just like Brightspace dates. If a student has submitted work after the due date, it is clearly marked “Late” in the grading area.
*NOTE: Students will only show up in the ungraded list on your VoiceThread assignment if they have previously opened up a VoiceThread for your class. It does not automatically pull in your whole Brightspace classlist. If a student is not even listed as “Unattempted” that means they have not even opened up a VoiceThread yet or attempted the assignment.
What students see
The new assignment builder is also very friendly on the student side. The student view displays
- VoiceThread assingment title
- Information that you have provided about the assingment
- Required actions, comments, etc.
- Due date
- Grading scheme (% or pass/fail)
- Whether the assignment has already been submitted
As always, if you need help with VoiceThread in your Brightspace course please contact the IDAT team for assistance.