VoiceThread is an online tool that allows users to have discussions around media such as videos, presentations, and PDFs. Users can interact with the media by providing text comments, audio comments using a microphone, or video comments using a webcam. The study evaluated the use of VoiceThread in online courses over two semesters. Survey results found that students' satisfaction and perceptions that it builds social community increased from the first to second semester when its use was modified. While students liked features such as commenting with pictures and audio/video, they wanted improved ability to reply directly to other users' comments.

1. ENHANCING ONLINE
DISCUSSIONS WITH
VOICETHREAD
Jozenia Colorado, Ph.D.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012

2. What is VoiceThread?
 http://www.voicethread.com
 An online tool used to have conversations or
discussions around media.
 Instructors can upload content in the form of
graphics, videos, presentations, and articles in
the form of PDF files.
 Interact with the media, students can discuss
the content by text, audio with a microphone,
or using a webcam.

4. Why Use VoiceThread?
 Provides multimodal method of discussion
 Provides a collaborative environment
 Featured in the 2009 K-12 Edition of the Horizon
Report as a “Collaborative Environment.”
 “collaborative environments provide the means
for students to work with peers both local and
distant, practice creative teamwork, and develop
peer relationships” (Johnson, Levine, Smith, &
Smythe, 2009).
 May enhance Social Community in the
Classroom

5. Social Community in the
Classroom
 Students with a stronger sense of community
should feel less isolated and have a greater
satisfaction with their academic programs
(Rovai, 2002)
 Increasing collaborative engagement tends to
reduce the feeling of “isolation” that is usually
experienced by distance learners (Palloff, &
Pratt, 2005).
 80% of students strongly agreed or agreed
that VoiceThread contributed to establishing a
sense of community in the class (Pacansky-
Brock, 2010).

6. Purpose
 Evaluate the use of VoiceThread as an online
discussion tool
 Focused on Learner Reaction to the use of
VoiceThread in terms of
 Student satisfaction,
 Features,
 Effect of VoiceThread on social community, and
 How VoiceThread was used in the course.

7. Method
 Mixed Methods
 Once Course, Two Different Semesters
 Made Changes on How Used After First
Semester
 Instrument
 Survey
 Comments

8. First Semester
 Combined with Blackboard Discussion Board
 One embedded voice thread
 Seven Linked VoiceThreads
 Text-based discussions
 Media Discussed: PDF, Video
 Instrument: Survey and Comments

9. Second Semester
 Linked to VoiceThread
 Text-based Discussions were in the
Blackboard Discussion Tool
 Only Used to Discuss Videos
 Instrument: Survey and Comments

10. SURVEY RESULTS

11. Level of Satisfaction
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
First Semester
2
Second Semester
1.5
1
0.5
0
As a Discussion Tool Ease of Use Features
in general

12. Use Preferences
If given the choice, how would you like VoiceThread
used in your online classes?
As the ONLY discussion tool
Use in combination with the
current, built-in written
discussion board tool when
appropriate
I would not use VoiceThread
at all

13. Builds Social Community
Do you think using VoiceThread helps build Social
Community among your classmates?
Yes
Neutra
l

14. Builds Social Community Better
than BB Discussion Board
Do you think using VoiceThread helps build Social
Community among your classmates more than the
current, built-in discussion board?
Yes
Neutra
l

15. Voice Thread Features
What features did you like about VoiceThread?
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Picture with Doodling Feature Microphone Web Cam Feature
Comment Feature

16. Ways to Improve
What features should be added or improved?
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
None, I like it just the Ability is! Reply to Specific Blackboard Integration
way it to User

17. COMMENTS

18. Student Comments
 The print was small and I was less prone to read
others' responses.
 Not mobile friendly.
 Need ability to post
pictures/charts/photos/graphics
 Main problem is the ability to reply to a specific
user. Other than that VoiceThread seems to be
great.

19. Student Comments:
Replying Text vs. Audio or Video
 Students are more likely to reply in text due to:
 Self- consciousness to posting in audio or video
 Takes more time and preparation to reply in audio
or video
 Do not have a webcam

21. Instructor Comments
 Enjoy seeing picture with comment
 To embed or link?
 Permission links broken or reset: Open Voice
Thread in New Window
 Doodling did not work for one student
 Difficult to manage or track student
participation
 Cannot reply to one person

22. Instructor Comments
 Preparation time
 Teaching Students how to use VoiceThread
 Encourage student use of video or audio
 Use more with media than with basic
discussion items such as articles and
reactions to readings

23. Q&A
Jozenia Colorado, Ph.D.
jcolorad@emporia.edu