We have introduced three new user-friendly online services that enable the teachers to leave audio comments on students’ works.
On Glow (Canvas):
Glow is the customized version of the popular Learning Management System, Canvas. It is possible to leave audio comments on assignments and Discussion Boards on Canvas.
On Canvas Discussion Board
In Assignments
VoiceThread
VoiceThread is a program that allows users to comment on images or series of images with voice, text, and video files. This program may be used by professors to allow students to analyze and discuss images such as works of art, photographs, or any type of visual material.
How to Use VoiceThread
Follow these instructions to create a VoiceThread file:
- Click on the “Create” tab in the top left corner.
- Either drag and drop media from your computer or click on “Add Media” and choose media from your computer, Media Sources, Webcam, or URL.
- Adding an image prompts you to modify the title, description, tags, playback options, and cover art.
- Add comments by clicking “Comment” and choosing text, audio, or video format for your comment.
- Share by copying your project’s link under “share” and send to whomever you wish to grant access.
Remember:
- Projects done on a free account are always public.
- Private projects are only available by purchasing the service.
- Only the project’s creator may upload additional images to the original product.
→ More on educational use of VoiceThread
Voice Commenting on Google Docs using Kaizena
Kaizena is a web service for adding comments to Google Docs. It enables you to add both text and voice comments to Google documents. The students can see the comments and respond to them either with text or audio comments.
When signing in to Kaizena one needs to choose if s/he wants to be a teacher or an student. Teachers can create a Group for each of the classes or courses. When a teacher user chooses a Group in the left sidebar, only the conversations in that Group will appear. The conversations stay private to the teacher and the student whose work is being commented on. Kaizena also could be used directly within Google Docs, if Kaizena add-on is installed.
To know more about how Kaizena could be used in a language class read Using Kaizena in Your Second Language Classroom.
Watch the following videos to learn more about Kaizena: