- What is VoiceThread
- Computer Requirements
- Setting up your Microphone
- Logging into VoiceThread
- Mobile App
- Tutorials
- Account Types
- VoiceThread Use in Canvas
JHU’s VoiceThread browser-based platform transitions to the New VoiceThread in Summer 2024. See Overview of the New VoiceThread for some of the features we want you to learn about plus some additional resources to learn more.
What is VoiceThread?
VoiceThread is web-based presentation software that allows users to create and share interactive multimedia slideshows. VoiceThread presentations are used to showcase audio, video, images, and documents while allowing users to comment on them in a variety of different ways. The result is a digital conversation that can be easily shared with individuals, groups, and/or embedded into different websites, including Canvas, the learning management system used here at Johns Hopkins.
Johns Hopkins has licensed VoiceThread to gives us the following features:
- authentication with our Johns Hopkins Enterprise Authentication
- integration with Student Information Systems enrollments
- integration with Canvas
- ‘Basic’ accounts for JHU affiliates
- a certain number of ‘Pro’ accounts
- ability to create Groups
- ability to share securely
- unlimited number of VoiceThreads
- ability to upload audio files as comments
- more storage capacity
More information:
- Educause – 7 Things You Should Know About VoiceThread
- VoiceThread Known Issues
- VoiceThread Use in Canvas
Computer Requirements
- Browser – must accept cookies
- Microphone – optional, but highly suggested
- Webcam – optional
Setting up your Microphone
If you intend to use the audio commenting feature, you will need a working microphone. To do this, we highly suggest you use a USB headset microphone. If you have ever participated in a LiveTalk or Adobe Connect session, the same mic can be used. You can also use the microphone that is built in to your computer. Please see the following linked instructions to set up a microphone on your Mac or PC.
Logging into VoiceThread
There are two main ways to access JHU’s VoiceThread
- Canvas instructors: you can use the Adding a VoiceThread Presentation to Canvas steps and that will just add a link in your Canvas course for students
- Others: Sign In to jhu.voicethread.com with your JHED credentials.
If you already have a free VoiceThread account outside of JHU, you may see a notification that you need to merge your old account into the new JHU account. Simply enter your email address to continue. You will then be directed to the VoiceThread home page, where you should see any VoiceThreads you previously created or subscribed to.
VoiceThread Account Verification
- If you have previously logged into jhu.voicethread.com AND you have started using the VoiceThread tool within Canvas, you may initially get prompted for VoiceThread Account Verification.
- See VoiceThread Known Issues.
Mobile app
Tutorials
- Instructors:
- Getting Started and Creating VoiceThreads – Faculty and Student Guide
- How to create a group in VoiceThread
FAQ
What’s the difference between Basic and Pro Accounts?
By default, anyone who can log into jhu.voicethread.com will get a Basic account. Instructors will want to get upgraded to a Pro account.
| Basic | Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Create Groups | No | Yes |
| Number of VoiceThreads | 50 | Unlimited |
| Upload audio files as comments | Yes | Yes |
| Slides per VoiceThread | 500 | 500 |
How do I get a Pro account?
Instructors can contact [email protected] to request to have their VoiceThread accounts upgraded to Pro.
VoiceThread Data Cleanup Policy
Starting on July 1, 2022 VoiceThread will be implementing a data clean-up policy that might result in some inactive accounts being deleted. See VoiceThread Data Cleanup Policy for more information.