The Center for Information Technology Services (CITS) would like to inform instructors, students, and educational technology staff that the multimedia discussion platform VoiceThread, which is integrated with Blackboard, will be retired at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). The campuswide license for VoiceThread will end June 30, 2026, after which it will no longer be available for campuswide use.
What Does This Mean?
To prepare for this change, CITS will remove existing users from the campuswide license on Friday, June 26, 2026, and transition their accounts to the free tier of VoiceThread, which will still allow users to access their existing content. Please note that while previously created content will remain available, the free tier of VoiceThread limits the creation of new content under its usage restrictions.
If users wish to export their content, they are encouraged to do so while this functionality is still available at no cost as part of the campus license. It is recommended that exports be completed prior to June 26, 2026. Information about exporting content can be found on the VoiceThread website.
After accounts are downgraded, users who wish to access VoiceThread outside of UMID login and Blackboard integration will need to reset their VoiceThread password via the VoiceThread website.
Accessing VoiceThread after June 26, 2026
Instructors and students who wish to access VoiceThread outside of UMID login and Blackboard integration must reset their password.
Once the password is set, users can sign in using the “Sign in with email” option.
If users experience issues accessing content, they should contact VoiceThread Support.
Please note that free VoiceThread accounts are subject to a different data retention policy (see “Free users” section).
Additional Information
Some schools may choose to continue using VoiceThread as a paid service. Instructors and students should consult their school’s educational technology team for guidance on local availability and alternatives.
General Questions
For general questions, please contact the UMB Help Desk.