Using VoiceThread at CI includes an auto-captioning feature that generates automatic captions that you can easily edit. An important thing to note about this feature is that it only works on newly recorded comments, so you cannot add captions to recordings you’ve already made. Please note, this is not a global setting! So you will need to turn on Closed Captions each time you want to see the captions in VoiceThread.
Turning ‘On’ Closed Captions
- Login to VoiceThread. You can access VoiceThread from the Help Icon located in your CI Learn Global Navigation Menu.
- Create a new VoiceThread or Copy a previous VoiceThread. Note: comments should carry over if you reuse/copy a previous VoiceThread.
- Select the option to ‘Comment’. This will open your VoiceThread for commenting
- Before you record a comment, go to the upper right corner of the VoiceThread window and select the white square with ‘CC’ for Closed Captioning
- From the dropdown CC Menu, select “On” or “English”.
- Now record a Voice or Video Comment by clicking on the plus sign (+) at the bottom of the VoiceThread window. When you are satisfied with your comment, select Save.
- It can take a few minutes to a few hours for the automatic closed captions to generate. You can continue recording all of your comments for the VoiceThread while you wait.
Note: CC must be enabled in order to see the captioning.
Locate and Edit Closed Captions
Be sure that you have turned on captions as mentioned previously before playing a VoiceThread comment. If the captions have been generated, they will appear as yellow text while your comment is playing.
Editing Automatic Captions
- To edit the VoiceThread caption, select the CC Icon at the bottom of your comment
- From the window that opens, select ‘Edit Captions’
- In the Editing box, correct any errors in the auto-generated captions
- Select Save Captions and the window will close
- Select Ok from the Manage Captions Window
- Refresh your page to view the updated Closed Captions
- Play your comment to view the Closed Captions
- Follow the same steps to edit other comments in the VoiceThread
Possible Applications
VoiceThread is a useful tool for creating your own micro-lectures to infuse your speaking with visual stimulation and examples. VoiceThread is also a useful discussion tool or presentation tool for students.
Recording Tips for Directions and MicroLectures
- Record your comments separately on each slide. Don’t record over multiple slides in a single recording. Here’s why:
- If you make a mistake, you will have to rerecord comments for multiple slides.
- When the recording ends, viewers will be taken back to the first slide even if your recording advanced through several slides. This can be confusing for the viewer.
- Recording one slide at a time makes it easy to rerecord if a mistake is made, since you do not have to restart the entire presentation.
- If you need to update the VoiceThread at a later date, you can replace a specific slide or slides and only record where you’ve made changes, instead of having to rerecord the entire VoiceThread.
- Wear a headset with a microphone. Earbuds with a built in microphone work great. Here’s why:
- This minimizes background noise
- Your voice will record more clearly and you can speak in a more conversational tone
