As AI tools like ChatGPT continue to challenge traditional assessments and classroom norms, instructors are asking a critical question: How do we ensure students are truly learning, and not just generating content?

A newly released literature review offers one answer: VoiceThread.

Conducted in partnership with Instructure, the study analyzed 44 peer-reviewed papers that consistently reported how VoiceThread supported authentic engagement, communication skill-building, and community connection. These outcomes are hard to fake and deeply tied to meaningful learning.

“In an educational environment where academic integrity is challenged, tools like VoiceThread stand out because they promote the kind of student work that, through research, demonstrate positive shifts in learning behaviors and skill acquisition,” said Molly Henschel, Ph.D., Associate Director of Research and co-author of the review.

What the Research Shows

Across disciplines, from teacher training to nursing to STEM, instructors using VoiceThread report:

• More authentic student engagement and participation
• Improved communication and reflection skills
• Greater sense of social presence and trust in online classes
• Flexible, inclusive options for learners with different needs

VoiceThread enables students to interact using video, voice, or text, layered over shared content. It has a multimodal, asynchronous format that mirrors real-world communication more than traditional discussion boards.

“We’ve heard for years from educators that VoiceThread ‘just works,’ and now we have a research review that digs into the details of how and why it's working. The summary findings let us know we're on the right track and point us towards learning even more in the future.” said Steve Muth, President and Co-founder of VoiceThread.

Read the full literature review here to explore the methodology, studies included, and detailed findings.

What's Next: Help Build the Evidence Base

While the findings are promising, the research community agrees: we need more large-scale, equity-focused, and outcome-driven studies to understand how and for whom VoiceThread works best.

That’s where you come in.

If your institution is:

• exploring ways to enhance social presence in Canvas,
• rethinking academic integrity in a generative AI world, or
• looking to collaborate on instructional design research,

VoiceThread is actively seeking higher education partners to co-design and participate in future studies.

Join the Conversation

Access the full study here. 

To explore partnership opportunities, reach out to us at [email protected]

or visit voicethread.com/research. 

Let’s create online learning experiences that are as real and rich as the students we serve.