{"id":3939,"date":"2021-05-25T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2021-05-25T07:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humteachlearn\/?p=3939"},"modified":"2026-10-14T14:49:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T13:49:14","slug":"voicethread-accessible-introductions-key-course-content-040","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humteachlearn\/2021\/05\/25\/voicethread-accessible-introductions-key-course-content-040\/","title":{"rendered":"Using VoiceThread to provide accessible weekly introductions to key course content"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu _builder_version=”3.0.106″ menu_id=”7″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” background_layout=”dark” module_class=”main-navigation” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.17.6″ meta=”off” featured_placement=”above” featured_image=”off” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n

Teaching and learning problem\/challenge?<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

We needed to provide our students with a short weekly introduction to course unit content which would be accessible, flexible and personal.<\/p>\n

What was the solution?<\/h4>\n

We created a weekly VoiceThread in Blackboard. Each VoiceThread was focused on a simplified PowerPoint that introduced the subject content for the week. The VoiceThread included short video files of the tutor speaking, with one video file for each PowerPoint slide. The video introductions\u00a0were carefully focused on individual slides, and delivered in accessible language.<\/p>\n

Crucially, the tutor videos were not ‘scripted’ and purposefully\u00a0informal (including gestures and occasional humour) so to avoid the ‘talking head’ phenomenon. The students could, at a time of their choosing, view\u00a0the VoiceThread at their own pace, viewing the slides and videos in linear sequence, or return to particular slides\/videos.<\/p>\n

How successful was the solution?<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

In their interaction with the course unit tutors, and in the end-of semester Unit Surveys, the students indicated that they enjoyed watching the VoiceThreads.\u00a0They said it gave them an accessible (easy) introduction to the week’s topic, they valued the ability to watch individual slides\/videos again (without\u00a0having to search through a single massive video file) and they also liked the unscripted nature of the videos, which made the tutor more of an\u00a0individual\/real person.<\/p>\n

See it in action in this video:<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video _builder_version=”3.17.6″ src=”https:\/\/htserv.mhorn.manchester.ac.uk\/mh_default_org\/oaipmh-default\/cd7f7397-25b8-4e02-babb-71549c1bfe27\/163d9097-cb8e-4306-9434-ecc8f3b6a7a5\/o_1f5lja0f91guf14k6bkn1d221usp7.mp4″ image_src=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humteachlearn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/205\/2021\/05\/video-040.jpg” \/][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”3.17.6″][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Evaluation \/ Student Feedback” open=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” link_option_url_new_window=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” background_video_pause_outside_viewport=”on” text_shadow_style=”none” box_shadow_style=”none” hover_transition_duration=”300ms” hover_transition_delay=”0ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease” text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n

From Unit Surveys:-<\/p>\n

\n

The voicethread is a helpful way to help us think, and we can review it at any time we want.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Voicethread PPTs, because they can help me have a brief understanding of the topic in advance with an oral explanation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

The flipped classroom approach which includes watching the VT [VoiceThread] before sessions works well for me.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

The Voice Threat PPTs are really useful, especially with Juup’s short videos. Please keep it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Benefits” open=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” link_option_url_new_window=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” background_video_pause_outside_viewport=”on” text_shadow_style=”none” box_shadow_style=”none” hover_transition_duration=”300ms” hover_transition_delay=”0ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease” text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n

If implemented as described here, VoiceThread PPTs accompanied by videos by the tutor, has the following benefits:-<\/p>\n