22nd June 2007

Teaching and Learning with Audio

posted in Learn |

Audacity Logo

I’m gonna talk about Audacity - one of the coolest freeware I have ever come across.

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to:

  • Record live audio.
  • Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.
  • Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, and WAV sound files.
  • Cut, copy, splice, and mix sounds together.
  • Change the speed or pitch of a recording… and many more!

So how can we use Audacity for teaching and learning? Here are some suggestions.

  • Language: spelling, reading, online interactive asynchronous dialogue
  • Self-directed learning through listening to your content followed by a reflection exercise.
  • Creating stories with embedded questions that prompts the learner to interact with the story.
  • Record your voice instructions with background music and insert it into power point for a more engaging and authentic learning experience. 
  • Get your learners to upload their voice recordings as a presentation online.
  • I’m sure you can think of more…

Get started:

  1. Download and Install Audacity
  2. Recording in Audacity

See my new post here: http://www.mazlan.net/index.php/audacity-tutorials/

Cheers!

Popularity: 45% [?]

This entry was posted on Friday, June 22nd, 2007 at 3:31 pm and is filed under Learn. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

There are currently 8 responses to “Teaching and Learning with Audio”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

  1. 1 On June 23rd, 2007, Ray said:

    I am big a fan of using Audacity for language learning. I often use the ‘adjust tempo’ feature to slow down a sentence that I’m trying to learn, and then gradually build up to regular speed.

    a few examples: http://wordsummit.com/index.php/?cat=20

    I’m not too familiar with most of the features that Audacity offers, so I’m looking forward to your tutorials.

  2. 2 On July 1st, 2007, admin said:

    Hey Ray!

    Glad to know that the tutorials help. I am working on building more screencasts so do check back and thanks for visiting the site and sharing the link with me. I really appreciate it :)

    maz

  3. 3 On July 3rd, 2007, Bianca said:

    hey Maz,
    thanks for sharing your experiences on Audicity! :) Really loved the tool when we had to use it to create a podcast, one of the great freeware around…

    –bianca

    p.s. found your blog through my blogstats… have added yours to my blogroll now :D

  4. 4 On July 6th, 2007, admin said:

    Hey Whitecat!
    I love Audacity too! Such a great freeware with so many functions and very powerful too! Tks for adding me to yer blogroll.

    Cheers :)

  5. 5 On August 6th, 2007, Geok said:

    Hello! I am a teacher from Qihua Pri.Thanks for the enlightening session on Audacity. I have done some recording for my blog. I tried uploading it to wordpress but it says wav file not recoginise. Any pointers? Thanks! =)

  6. 6 On August 7th, 2007, admin said:

    Hi Geok,

    You may need to export it as an mp3 file. It should work fine in wordpress. Here’s what you do.

    1. Watch this screencast (tutorial) at http://mazlan.net/learn/audacity/audacity01.htm
    2. Follow the instructions on downloading and unzipping the Lame MP3 encoder. Basically, you need to drag and drop a lame_enc.dll file within the zip file onto your desktop.
    3. Open your recorded file in Audacity
    4. Do a File - Export as MP3
    5. You will be prompted to locate the lame_enc.dll file. Follow the instructions, browse and locate the file.
    6. DONE! You can now upload your voicerecording.mp3 file to your blog.

    Let me know if you are successful.

    Cheers!

  7. 7 On August 8th, 2007, Geok said:

    Hello Maz!
    I tried your method but it did not work as word press does not allow mp3 upload. But not to worry. I read the FAQs and learnt that I must upload the file somewhere else such as www.hotlinksfiles.com. Next i will have to create the link [audio http://www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/199682_hoakd/xxx.mp3] It works! I managed to upload my first mini podcast! I am all ready to do more stuff! Thanks for the help! =)

  8. 8 On October 22nd, 2007, Audacity Tutorials » A Buzz From Maz said:

    […] My previous posting: http://www.mazlan.net/index.php/teaching-and-learning-with-audio/ […]

Leave a Reply

  • Blogroll