Moving content from Voice Authoring to VoiceThread

Also available on Behind the Blackboard

This knowledge base article will walk you through the process of exporting Blackboard Voice Authoring content and then importing that content into VoiceThread. Here are somethings you should know:

You are able to export single and multiple messages, top-level threads, and entire Voice Boards to your computer for preservation or for import into VoiceThread.
You must be an instructor to export Voice Board, Voice Podcast and Voice Presentations.
If you are interested in exporting you Blackboard Voice Authoring content so that it can imported into VoiceThread please download using the MP3 audio in archive (.zip)

To Export Collaborate Voice Authoring Content

Voice Board and Voice Podcast

Click the Export button at the top of the window. The Export window opens.
In the first drop-down menu, select the option for the content that you wish to export. The Selected messages only option appears only if at least one message was selected when you clicked the Export button.
Select MP3 audio in archive (.zip)
Click the Next button to select the download location of your choice.
Enter a name in the File Name field.
Click the Save

Tip: To export multiple individual messages, select the first desired message and then hold down either the shift key to select consecutive message or the Control key (Command key on Mac) to select non-consecutive messages while selecting the additional threads.** **

Voice Presentations

Select Options then Export.
The Export window opens.
In the first drop-down menu, select the option for the content that you wish to export. The Selected messages only option appears only if at least one message was selected when you clicked the Export button.
Select MP3 audio in archive (.zip)
Click the Next button to select the download location of your choice.
Enter a name in the File Name field.
Click the Save

Voice Mashup

Click Play to start the Voice Authoring Tool
Once the Voice Authoring player loads click on the small black rectangle on the right hand side of the player
Select **Save As

**
Save as MP3 format

To Import Collaborate Voice Authoring Content into VoiceThread

There are two ways audio can be included in VoiceThread: as the central media on a slide or as a comment.

Central media

Start by clicking on the “Create” button anywhere you see it. This may be at the top of your VT Home page or in the top-left corner of an assignment in your LMS.
Click “Add Media” at the center of the page.
Select “My Computer”.
Browse for the file you exported from Voice Authoring and select it.
Wait for your file to finish uploading and processing. As soon as it’s done, you’ll see an image of your audio file on the page (see the slide on the left below).

See a video overview of creating VoiceThreads here: https://voicethread.com/share/5942721/

When you upload your audio file as the central media in a VoiceThread, the visual will be a simple gray page (see preview above). If you want to add an image over the top of that audio file, you can follow the steps below.

After uploading your file, click on the pencil icon in the bottom-left corner.
Click “Replace”.
Browse for and select the image you want to add to the slide.
Save.

This will allow your viewers to see a visual of your choice while listening to your audio.

Uploading audio as a comment

Open a VoiceThread you’ve already created, and navigate to the slide on which you want to add your audio comment.
Click on the “+” icon at the bottom of the slide.
Select the file-upload option on the far right.
Browse for and select your file.
Wait for the file to finish processing. You’ll see a confirmation message when this is complete.
At this point, your comment will appear on the left side of the slide.

See a video overview of commenting here: http://voicethread.com/share/6715336/