How to submit a Voicethread assignment

Before starting your Voicethread Assignment

Voicethread must be accessed via the Blackboard learning site link.  Use a computer rather than a mobile device.

Check your file size

Aim to keep video file sizes under 300MB for submission through Blackboard.


Uploading a PowerPoint file?

  • PowerPoint presentations are broken up into individual slides. Animations, embedded content, transitions and links are not preserved.
  • If you experience any formatting issues (strange fonts or layout), try converting the original presentation to a PDF, or export to a mp4 file and use Standard quality.


Uploading an Mp4 file?

  • When submitting your video file to Blackboard, please note that large file sizes can take a while to upload. Uploading, especially on home Internet connections is generally much slower than downloading.  Check your internet upload speed from this link: www.speedtest.net
  • If you have trouble uploading your file from home, we advise you to use the University facilities as this will be much faster or compress the file using the free program Handbrake
  • If you receive the error "The caller could not be authenticated", this is due to the page timing out and is caused by a large file size and/or slow upload internet speed. Solutions: Compress or resave the file to a smaller quality.  Use a stronger internet connection.


Voicethread quick guides


How to start a Voicethread Assignment

Step 1: Log into Blackboard https://learn.scu.edu.au and navigate to where your VoiceThread assignment is located. eg Assessment Tasks and Submissions tab

Click on the VoiceThread Assignment link


Step 2: VoiceThread will open in a new browser tab.

Read the individual assignment instructions which are available in the right-hand side menu, including

  • Any additional instructions
  • List of required tasks that need to be completed
  • Due date
  • How the assignment is being graded
  • Submission status


Step 3:   When you are ready to begin, click the Start Assignment button from the right-hand side menu.

How to add a Slide/mp4

Step 1: Use one of the available media options to upload your file into VoiceThread.

If you have a pre-made PowerPoint file or mp4, use Add from device.


Step 2:  Select the file from your computer and follow the prompts.

Once the file has finished processing, a thumbnail of your slide will appear.

Video files are large, so leave plenty of time before the submission deadline to upload your assignment!

As a required task is completed, this item is ticked off in the right-hand menu.


If all the tasks are completed,  the Submit button will been activated

How to record a comment on your slide

Step 1: To record a comment, click the Continue button from the bottom left corner.


Step 2: Navigate to where you would like the comment to appear.

Select the plus icon button (Comment) at the bottom left corner.


Step 3: Select the type of Comment method you would like to use. 

The most commonly used comment is Audio with a microphone. Additional instructions per comment method are available from the below links



Step 4:  One a comment is added, an icon will appear on the left hand side menu

As a required task is completed, this is ticked off in the right-hand menu.


How to Submit your Voicethread Assignment

The Submit button will be activated once all required tasks are completed.


Once you click Submit, a pop-up confirmation message will appear.

On the right-hand side menu, you will see the status has changed from "Not Yet Submitted" to "Submitted"

A Withdraw submission button will appear if you are allowed to resubmit and try again.