- Web browser webcam/mic settings is a two step process: check the pop-up bar in the browser > click allow.
- Doodling tool: easier to use on an iOS device than on a computer.
- Text commenting: is useful for sharing web links.
- Uploading slides:
- it is easy to upload multiple slides with one click,
- animations in a PPT presentation will not transfer to VoiceThread (slides will be uploaded as images),
- it is better to save all PPT slides as images first and then upload to avoid graphic distortions
- you cannot edit a slide after you uploaded it, but you can replace it and if a slide has comments on it the comments will stay.
- Create a VoiceThread: when providing a VT description in Blackboard please mind that the description should be a continuous block of text; ii.e. one single paragraph and not multiple paragraphs. The latter will “break” the link from Bb to VoiceThread.
- Access and sharing: a faculty member can start a VoiceThread and give edit permissions to students, so students will be able to add on slides to a VoiceThread.
- Subscribing to a VT: remind faculty/students to subscribe to a VT to get notifications for comments or edits to make their experiences more engaging.
- Grading: when setting up a VT a faculty member can assign a point value, when grading it’s a % value.
- Embedding a VT: don’t embed a VT into a course site in Blackboard. A good example for embedding: a VT created by a librarian and then embedded on a library blog/website.
- Comment moderation: can be used when an instructor wants each student to contribute to a conversation without seeing other student responses.
- Adding attributions: when using images or other materials you found online, add the URL to the title of the slide (as an attribution).
- Audio/Video is out of sync: the most common causes of the audio and video getting out of sync are an overtaxed computer; an overtaxed browser; or insufficient bandwidth. Try restarting your computer and shutting down any unnecessary programs or processes running in the background.
