Tag Archives: VoiceThread

Engaging Students in Asynchronous Online Courses

Educational Technologies, Online Learning, , , ,

 Kimberly BellKimberly Bell, PhD., Postdoctoral Associate

Asynchronous courses, when designed and implemented according to evidence-based research and learning theory, can be just as engaging as in-person or synchronous online courses. If you have asked yourself the following questions, or are unsure of where to start overall, this guide will introduce you to research and tips for making your asynchronous online course engaging.

  • How can my students interact in an asynchronous course?
  • How can I help my students give better feedback to each other in discussion boards?
  • How can I give better feedback and engage students?
  • How can I use group work in an asynchronous course?
woman working on a computer
Image by chenspec from Pixabay

Getting Started

Presence, Community, Feedback, Technology

These resources will get you started with theory and practice for engaging your students in asynchronous courses. Review the Purdue University Guide to the Community of Inquiry framework, which will introduce you to the concept of “presence” in an asynchronous course. The, dive a bit deeper and read about developing presence and learning community online, including a research study on faculty perspectives. Then, last but not least, review the ways you can give effective feedback with technology. Timely and effective feedback is a critical component of engagement.

Learning Activities for Asynchronous Online Courses

Asynchronous, Interaction, Discussion

These three resources, activity guides from the Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at the University of Rochester and the FOLD Guide to Fostering Discussion will all spark ideas for engaging activities and effective discussions you can have in your asynchronous courses.

Learning Tools for Asynchronous  Online Courses

Tools, VoiceThread, Discussion, Interaction

Review the resources in this collection to find tools that will help you develop and deploy asynchronous learning activities. VoiceThread is a great tool for asynchronous discussion (even in groups!). The Vanderbilt guide from the Learning Activities collection is repeated here as well, it includes both activities and tools to keep your students engaged.

Additional Teaching Tips for Asynchronous Online Courses

Active Learning, Engagement, Inclusive, Tips, Asynchronous

This collection of resources will provide you with additional tips and tricks for creating engaging asynchronous online courses. Review the IDEA guide for actively engaging students, tips specifically for inclusive teaching from the Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning at Brown University, additional tips from Wiley, and a Faculty Focus article on fostering fun!

Introducing CELT VoiceThread Resources

Educational Technologies, Instructional Design, ,

Kristin Hall  Kristin Hall, Instructional Designer

As we navigate through this new way of teaching remotely and online, there have been many educational technologies available to faculty to implement into their courses to facilitate academic engagement.  One of these technologies is VoiceThread. VoiceThread is an interactive way to present multimedia content that allows for collaboration among students and faculty. You can use VoiceThread to deliver instructional content, provide an alternative way to facilitate discussions, and allow students to create their own multimedia presentations for assignments. 

VoiceThread home screenThere are many ways to incorporate VoiceThread into your class and this can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. To help you navigate the VoiceThread waters, we have developed short instructional resources focusing on using VoiceThread inside of Blackboard: 

Some tips to keep in mind when getting started with VoiceThread:

  • VoiceThread only works in Chrome or Firefox browsers.
  • You can access the VoiceThread homepage outside of Blackboard as well. You will need to  log in with your NetID and Password.
  • You can use VoiceThread to deliver course content, for interactive multimedia discussions, and as a graded assessment for students. VoiceThread can also be used to deliver asynchronous presentations publicly.
  • VoiceThread integrates with Blackboard providing direct links to presentations and graded assignments.  
  • You can grade VoiceThread assignments which link to the Grade Center in Blackboard. 

Over time, more resources will be added on topics such as groups, assignments in Blackboard, and some basic troubleshooting tips. If you have an idea for a short VoiceThread tutorial or an issue that you have come across on which you would like more guidance, please email celt@stonybrook.edu.