Asynchronous Presentation Options
Alternates for Online Video/Audio collaboration
(Formerly "Alternatives to VoiceThread")
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,
Option 2: Echo360 Commenting/Q&A
Echo 360 Course Discussion / Q & A
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;
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.
Perusall
Perusall
Pros: Integrates with Moodle, collaboration and critical thinking
Cons: Pricing (is murky); grading not easy
Clarkson’s subscription to VoiceThread ended on January 1, 2025. However, you may be interested in purchasing a Higher Ed Single Instructor License for your class(es).
*Engaging Students Through Asynchronous Video-Based Discussions in Online Courses
*Prezi, Slideshare or VoiceThread-Which is best?
Seek Further Assistance
For additional assistance please contact, Clarkson OIT Help Desk;
Online: Get Help
Email: helpdesk@clarkson.edu
Call: 315-268-HELP (x4357)