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Article Type: How To
Question:
- How can instructors copy VoiceThread links and assignments from one D2L Brightspace course into another?
Answer:
VoiceThread links are set up automatically when a course is copied in D2L, even if the original course belongs to a different instructor. A new instance of the original VoiceThread is created, including any associated grade items. It works best if the entire course is copied. If an instructor wants to copy only part of the course including VoiceThread links, please get help or call 651-793-1240 as special care must be taken to ensure the links will work.
Checking VoiceThreads after a course copy
The instructor should check all VoiceThread links to make sure they were copied correctly and that any assignment details and settings are still correct. Listed below are the different kinds of VoiceThread links and special consideration that may apply to each:
- VoiceThread Home – should open the homepage of whoever selects it.
- Individual VoiceThread – should open a single VoiceThread. Check for copied comments that might have been course specific or a response to students or that otherwise need to be edited or deleted.
- Course View – should open a view showing all VoiceThreads currently in the course and allow the instructor or students to add VoiceThreads to share only with that class. In a new class, if there are no other VoiceThreads in the course, this view will be empty.
- VoiceThread assignments – 3 possibilities:
- Leave a comment or add a slide – rename if desired, check for copied instructor comments that might have been course specific or a response to students
- Submit a VoiceThread – no action should be needed as this requires students to submit a VoiceThread they have created, and no submissions are copied from the previous semester
- Watch a VoiceThread – rename if desired, check for copied instructor comments that might have been course specific or a response to students
- For all assignment types, check the gradebook to ensure points are correct and the item is set up as intended. If in doubt, please contact the service center.
- Note that for assignments, if you want to edit the actual VoiceThread or the assignment settings, you must edit the assignment in D2L. Trying to edit such a VoiceThread as a VoiceThread, e.g. from your VoiceThread home, will result in an error message that the VoiceThread is not found. Don’t select the three, stacked, horizontal lines in this case. To edit the assignment, select the 3 "more" dots in the upper right area of the top title bar of the assignment itself that only appears in D2L, as in this picture:
Note: VoiceThread links created prior to spring 2023, must be replaced
VoiceThread links created prior to spring 2023 were created using a legacy method and do not work anymore. Old links created by selecting Existing Activities then External Learning Tools then typing in https://metrostate.voicethread.com/ltione/ will result in an error even if copied into a current course. If you select a VoiceThread link in your course and see the error message “Unsupported Signature Method. Please contact VoiceThread support,” as in the screenshot below, delete the link and replace it using the current method. It is not necessary to contact VoiceThread support, though instructors are welcome to contact Metro State support at service.center@metrostate.edu with questions.
Where to get help:
Academic Technology Services staff are available to help with any step of this process via email, the service portal, or by calling 651-793-1240.