How do I create a VT Assignment Builder 'Watch' assignment in Canvas?

You will learn how to add a VoiceThread Assignment Builder Watch type assignment.

Use this type of assignment when you want students to watch a non-interactive video, audio or other type of VoiceThread which you have created. Students do not post comments. They only watch.

Once the student has viewed the entirety of the VoiceThread, it will automatically put the score in the gradebook. This kind of VoiceThread is all or nothing.

Expand or collapse content First, copy your existing VoiceThread if you have one already.

Follow this guide to learn how to copy an existing VoiceThread.

Note: a Watch type VT assignment does not have to be copied since it contains no student comments which means you can re-use the original unless you want to track views for each class of students.

Expand or collapse content Second, create an Assignment in your course in Canvas.

The purpose of creating an Assignment in Canvas rather than simply embedding the VoiceThread in the Rich Text Editor (RCE) is so that the grades you assign in VoiceThread will carry over to your gradebook in Canvas.

1. Click on the + icon in a Module.

+ icon selected

2. Select Assignment.

Assignment is selected

3. Select [New Assignment].

[New Assignment] selected

4. Type a name for the assignment.

Assignment Name field is selected

5. Click on on Add Item.

Add Item button

6. Click on assignment name.

Watch assignment link

7. Click on Edit.

Edit button selected

8. Select External Tool from the Submission Type dropdown menu.

External Tool selected

9. Click on Find.

Note that once you have completed this VoiceThread assignment set up, you cannot click on this Find button again; otherwise, it will disconnect your existing VoiceThread from this Canvas Assignment.

Find button selected

10. Grab the bottom left corner to expand the dialog box if needed.

Bottom right corner of window selected to expand window frame

11. Select VoiceThread from the list.

VoiceThread selected from list

12. Hover mouse of i for more info (if desired).

Mouse hovered over Assignment Builder for more info

13. Click on Assignment Builder.

Since we want this assignment to report to the Canvas gradebook, we must select Assignment Builder. The other types will not report.

Assignment Builder selected
Expand or collapse content Third, create the VoiceThread Assignment Builder settings.

Follow these steps to create the specific type of Assignment Builder assignment that you want to use in your course. Choices include Create, Comment, and Watch.

Let's create a Watch VoiceThread where the students will need to view all comments in a designated VoiceThread made by the instructor.

1. Watch this video on how to proceed.

2. After setting up the VT, click on Select.

Select button

3. Click on Save & Publish.

Save and Publish button

4. The details of this VoiceThread will display.

Each time you click on this Canvas Assignment, this information will display showing which students have attempted the assignment, which ones have been graded, etc.

Note in this example, one student has watched/viewed the VT.

VT details displayed

Article Summary

You have now learned to how set up a VoiceThread Assignment Builder Watch assignment in your course, so that students can watch/view a VoiceThread you have made. The grades from this VoiceThread will automatically go to the gradebook in your course.