Blackboard Beefs up Discussion Tools with VoiceThread
Blackboard has teamed up with VoiceThread in an effort to improve discussions between instructors and students with the use of video, voice and text comments.
Though Blackboard currently offers voice and text commenting, "the addition of VoiceThread technology will increase the breadth of commenting options for teachers and learners, enhance Blackboard's teaching and learning solutions and expand its partner ecosystem," according to a news release. "VoiceThread is making the asynchronous environment feel synchronous."
"VoiceThread integration with Blackboard has provided a seamless experience for our faculty," said Olena Zhadkho, manager of course development at the New York Institute of Technology's Center for Teaching and Learning, in a prepared statement. "Our faculty were able to create VoiceThread assignments from within a Blackboard course in just seconds. Many faculty who might be reluctant to go to yet another Web site were relieved to know that VoiceThread was available in Blackboard. Students' accounts and course groups are set up automatically, and setting up a VoiceThread assignment was very easy for all faculty with varying technological skills."
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Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].