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Asynchronous Presentation Options

Formerly "Alternatives to VoiceThread"

Clarkson’s subscription to VoiceThread ended on January 1, 2025. This means all access to VoiceThread services and any VoiceThread files through a clarkson.edu account will no longer be available starting January 1, 2025; including for administrators, teachers and students. No exemptions. The decision to not renew is driven by low adoption of the VoiceThread service and re-prioritizing financial resources.

Take these steps to ensure a smooth transition:
  1. Export Your Voicethreads: Prior to December 20, 2024, teachers and students can export their own VoiceThread files. Details on how to export your own files here.
  2. Accounts Removed: On December 20, 2024, all accounts will be removed from Clarkson’s VoiceThread account. This will preserve users' content and allow users to continue to access their accounts if they wish. The accounts will be downgraded to Free and will not have access to any of the institutional account’s resources. This step is recommended by VoiceThread.
  3. Options are available and listed below, however, you may be interested in purchasing a Higher Ed Single Instructor License for your class(es).

Alternates for Online Video/Audio collaboration

Choosing an alternative will depend upon your goal. Schedule a consultation with the Teaching and Learning Corner (TLC) team for help in devising a customized plan for using alternate tools that support your instructional goals HelpDesk 315-268-HELP (x4357) or helpdesk@clarkson.edu. See alternate options below. 

OIT Supported

These tools are included as enterprise versions and are 'free' to use for Clarkson faculty, staff and students. The tools below are best for presentations and presentations where students make comments.

Option 1: Echo360 Video & Commenting Integrated into Moodle Forums
EchoVideo: Submitting Media for your Moodle Assignment

Use for: Allows teachers and students to record and share video in a Moodle Forum or Assignment. Forum posts, allows for text commenting by replying in the forum (alternatively audio or video comments which can be created via the Echo tool)

Pros: Forums tool in Moodle allows for Echo video to be created and shared within the Forum (or Assignment). Students and instructors can subscribe and receive new posts via email. Participation is easily graded.

Cons:  Comments/Replies are not directly on the media. PPT Slides must be attached or turned into .mp4 file before submitted via the Echo tool

More: Standard Forum for General Use, Forum Comments via Audio or Video Recording, Echo Slides and Presentations,


Echo for Teachers

Echo for Students



 

Option 2: Echo360 Commenting/Q&A
Echo 360 Course Discussion / Q & A
Pros: Integrated into Moodle for both faculty and students for easy access, browser or desktop options, mobile app available, Commenting/Q & A available, Easy to create and share video with Echo tools.

Cons: Commenting only by text. Instructor must first create a Collection and Share the Collection with students in the class. Must use Atto or Tiny MCE Editor (this may change in January 2025)

More: Standard Forum for General Use, Echo Slides and Presentations, Navigating around Echo

Students EchoVideo: Viewing and Participating in Discussions in the Media Player


 

Google Slides
Google Slides

Use for: Presentations without narration, Team presentations that start in Slides but are narrated in PPT and exported as .mp4 files.

Pros: Easy access for faculty and students, feedback/dialogue on individual slides, give view, comment or edit access, sharing is easy, commenters annotate with text based comments

Cons: Narration not available so all commenting must be in text.

More: Student Teams Create & Share Video to a Discussion Forum Via the Echo Tool

Google Vids
GoogleVid

Pros: Very engaging, commenting on specific parts of video, comments easy to view and reply

Cons: Only videos, not slides;

More: Get Started with GoogleVids

Moodle Board
Moodle Board Tool 

Pros: Tool integrated into Moodle for easy access by faculty and students

Cons: ?

Cloud Tools

These tools are free to use or have free limited versions.

Padlet
Padlet

Pros: Using Padlet as a Video Discussion

Cons: The free version limits use to 3 Padlets but the Education cost for 2 teachers is reasonable. Pricing

More: Padlet Help

Not Free-Negotiable

Pricing is negotiable with perhaps a free semester.

Harmonize
Harmonize

Pros: integrates with Moodle, very robust

Cons: Pricing

Perusall
Perusall

Pros: Integrates with Moodle, collaboration and critical thinking

Cons: Pricing (is murky); grading not easy









Articles of Interest

*Engaging Students Through Asynchronous Video-Based Discussions in Online Courses

*Prezi, Slideshare or VoiceThread-Which is best?


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