Wimba Voice Basics
Wimba Voice is a collection of tools which can be used in Blackboard to allow voice (audio) recording and/or playback "on-the-fly" within that web page. Depending on which tool is being used, students will see a toolbar allowing them to play back or record and save audio, without using a special application other than Wimba.
Description of Wimba tools (click for brief instructions)
| Voice Announcements | Allows the instructor to insert a recording into a course announcement, for playback by course members. |
| Creates a discussion board which can include text and/or audio recordings. |
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| Voice Direct | Creates a chat space for live, direct audio chatting online. Chats can be archived to a digital audio file for later playback and distribution. |
| Voice E-mail | Allows instructors and/or students to create a recording and e-mail a link to that recording to the class. |
| Voice Podcast | Allows instructors and students in the Blackboard course to record podcast episodes directly online or upload files created elsewhere. This creates a podcast to which anyone can subscribe using an RSS reader (feed reader), even people who are not members of the course. |
| Voice Presentation | The instructor and students can display Web pages and record an audio narration of those pages directly online. Viewers can comment on the presentation by typing in text or by recording an audio response. |
| Voice Recorder |
Allows the instructor to insert an original recording or digital audio file almost anywhere in the course, for playback by course members. |
Technical requirements
- JavaScript-enabled Web browser connected to the Internet
- Computer with a sound card
- A microphone to record sound, and speakers or sound output to play back (headset combining headphones and microphone is recommended)
- Control Panel access in the Blackboard course (to administer or set up Wimba)
