HTML5 Version of VoiceThread is here!

Posted on by zakrzewskit

VoiceThread is a collaborative, multimedia tool that extends the idea of collaborating online using a simple text-based discussion board by incorporating images, documents, and videos to allow people to navigate slides and leave comments in several ways – text, voice, audio file, or webcam.

VoiceThread’s transition away from Flash has been an ongoing project over the last four years. Now you don’t need any Flash whatsoever to use VoiceThread!

The new HTML5 version looks and feels the same while offering new features including:

  • adjustable playback speed,
  • streamlined audio/video recording,
  • and increased security

VoiceThread will continue to support the Flash-based version until January 1, 2018.

Which Browsers are supported?
Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are supported fully.  Please make sure you are using the latest updates of these browsers for the best experience.

Safari can be used to view VoiceThreads, but does not yet support audio or video recording in HTML5. As soon as it does, VoiceThread will support recording in that browser.

Internet Explorer does not support HTML5 at all and cannot be used with the new version.

Change Display Preferences
To change your display preferences in VoiceThread follow the steps below:

Step 1: Select the drop down menu next to your user name, located in the upper left corner of the screen, after you log in to VoiceThread.

Step 2: Click Display Preferences.

The Display Preferences screen will appear as shown above.

Step 3: Select HTML 5 from the Player Version drop down menu

You can change this setting at your discretion until January 1, 2018.

The image below illustrates the difference between the user experience based on the old Adobe Flash prompt (Figure 1) and the new HTML 5 prompt (Figure 2) when adding a Voice Thread comment.

Figure 1: Old Flash Player Setting prompt
Figure 2: New HTML 5 prompt

Please note that VoiceThread will continue to support the Flash-based version until January 1, 2018.  After that time, they will only support the new HTML 5 option.

If you are interested in using VoiceThread in your course design efforts contact lit@wit.edu to learn more about the exciting opportunities that this tool can provide.