Creating a Narrated PowerPoint in VoiceThread

This article explains how to create narrated PowerPoint presentations in VoiceThread by uploading slides (preferably as PDFs) and recording audio directly within the platform slide by slide using the comment tool. It also includes tips, tool comparisons, and support resources.

📢 How to Create a Narrated PowerPoint Lectures using VoiceThread

This guide walks faculty through the entire process of creating a narrated presentation using VoiceThread (VT), starting within Blackboard, using the integrated LTI tool. You’ll learn how to build a VT assignment link, create or upload your VoiceThread, record narration, and share it with your students.

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🔰 Step 1: Add VoiceThread to Your Blackboard Course

To get started, you must add a VoiceThread link from inside your Blackboard course:

1. Open your course content area, click “Build Content” > “VoiceThread.”

2. Choose Assignment Type

   • You’ll see options like:

     • Create – students must create their own VoiceThread

     • Comment – students comment on yours

     • Watch – students view a VT without interaction

   • For narrated lectures, simply choose "Individual VT" but select “Comment” if you want students to respond, or “Watch” if you don’t.

3. Configure Settings

   • Add a title and description

   • Set grading options (optional)

4. Customize Link Details

   • Adjust the link name and instructions as needed

   • Click Submit when finished

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🧭 Step 2: Launch VoiceThread from the Link

After creating the link, click on it as the instructor to launch VoiceThread inside Blackboard.

You will now have the option to:

• Create a new VoiceThread

• Select an existing VoiceThread

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🆕 Step 3: Create a New VoiceThread with Narrated PowerPoint Slides

To build a new narrated presentation:

1. Click “Create a new VoiceThread”

2. Add Media

   • Click “Add from my computer”

   • Choose your PowerPoint file (.pdf recommended)
     🔔 Tip: Save your PowerPoint as a PDF to prevent formatting issues — animations and transitions won’t carry over.

3. Name your VoiceThread

   • Add a title and optional description

   • Wait while slides process (each becomes a static image)

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🎤 Step 4: Record Narration (Slide-by-Slide)

1. Click the “Comment” button at the top

2. On each slide:

   • Click the comment bubble on the timeline

   • Use the microphone icon to record audio

   • Use the camera icon to record video narration (optional)

   • Use the plus sign ➕ to move to the next slide

   • Use the pencil icon to annotate while narrating

   • Click Save after each comment

Repeat for each slide until your presentation is fully narrated.

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📤 Step 5: Finalize and Share with Students

Once you've finished:

• Click the “X” to close editing

• Return to Blackboard — the VoiceThread will now be linked to your course assignment

• Students can click the link and view or interact based on the settings you chose in Step 1

If you assigned points, the grade will sync back to the Blackboard Grade Center.

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🗂️ Optional: Attach an Existing VoiceThread

If you already created a VT previously (e.g., for another course or term):

1. Choose “Use an existing VoiceThread” after clicking the link in Blackboard

2. Select the appropriate VoiceThread from your list

3. Follow the rest of the sharing steps as outlined above

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🎥 Helpful Tutorials

• Watch our CCRI VoiceThread Tutorial

• Narrated PowerPoint in VT (YouTube)

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💡 When to Use VoiceThread vs. Other Tools

Goal	Best Tool
Narrated lecture with no student interaction	PowerPoint → MP4 → Upload to Medial/YouTube
Screencast of on-screen work	Medial, Microsoft Stream or YouTube or any other screen recording tools (i.e. ScreenPal etc.)
Student discussion and interaction	VoiceThread

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🛠 Troubleshooting Tips

• Do not record narration in PowerPoint — use VT’s Comment tool

• Save your slides as PDF before uploading for best results

• Check browser microphone permissions if audio doesn't record

• Narration must be added within VoiceThread, slide-by-slide

• Known Issue for VoiceThread Assignments: VoiceThread’s LTI 1.3 integration performs its automatic course‑copy logic only once per destination course. This process is triggered the first time a VoiceThread link is accessed in the copied course. If additional VoiceThread activities are added to the original (parent) course after this initial launch, those activities will not be copied into the destination course. As a result, repeated or chained course copies may produce missing or orphaned VoiceThread links.

  Source: VoiceThread – Course Copying (LTI 1.3)
  https://voicethread.com/howto/course-copying/

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🤝 Need Help?

📅 Book a session directly with VoiceThread
Email: support@voicethread.com

📨 Submit a ticket to Online Learning & Technology
VoiceThread Support Portal – CCRI

We’re happy to help you choose the best workflow for your teaching goals!