eLearning For Teachers: Di Goodman (Epoff)

Create a new audio file: voice recording using Audacity

1. Open Audacity

2. Create a new Audacity file if a new file window doesnt open

Add voice (record with a microphone)

1. Attach a peripheral device if desired ( a microphone), or use the built-in microphone

2. Go to the control panels (Audio/Sound) to check that it is the active recording device. Or leave as is, to use the built-in microphone (it will not sound as good). Note: your school laptop may not have an inbuilt microphone. If you cannot get sound to record as per the directions below, helpdesk the IT Dept and ask for help.

3. Click the Red record button in the toolbar to commence recording

4. Click the Blue Pause button to pause

5. Click the Yellow square button to stop.

Saving files in Audacity

Use File > Save Project As if you wish to save the Audacity file to continue working on it. Other applications wont be able to read this format. It is a work-in-progress format

Use File > Export as Mp3 to save the final recording in an Mp3 format - for uploading to iTunes or your blog. Name the file appropriately and save it to your home folder - be sure to organise your audio files where you can retrieve them

Use File > Export as WAV for applications that require WAV file formatted audio files

Edit the audio file (if necessary)

1. Drag in from the far left margin of the track until you see a greyed-out area the cursor will convert to a pointer finger - slide to the exact edit point

2. Do the same with the right side of the track

3. Go to Edit > Cut

Add music/effects to your file

Go to my previous Audacity post to read up on how to add a music track to the background, add an effect or make more complex edits

Export the audio file as an MP3 file

1. Go to File menu > Export > select type eg MP3 and the destination folder

2. Be sure to give your file an appropriate title that can be identified in your post

3. You may need to install the Lame MP3 encoder to Audacity first - its an “optional extra”. Follow the instructions at Lame Installation to download and install Lame.

Upload the audio file to a blog post

1. In your Wordpress blog, go to the Write menu > Write post

2. Give your post a title and add any written information or media

3. Click on the ‘Add Media’ button above the format pane. The simple Browser Uploader link is the quickest way to add media

4. Browse to locate your audio file

5. Click upload

6. Add relevant information: description etc

7. The link appears in your post and will automatically play when you click on it

Here is an example of a simple audio file created using Audacity that I have uploaded to this post:

nancybursonhumanracemachine

Upload the audio file to a website

Go to my previous Audacity post and scroll down to

Uploading to a website (podcasting)

to read how to upload to a website

1. Look for the button to subscribe to a podcast on the site,

or,

look for the website address to subscribe to (you’ll need to copy and paste this url into iTunes)

2. Open iTunes

3. Go to Advanced menu > subscribe to podcast > copy and paste url into the pop-up window

4. Click ok

5. You must be connected to the internet to receive the podcast feed

6. To view/listen: click on Podcast button in iTunes task bar > select podcast and play

Creating podcasts allows students to share learning experiences and contribute to new learning environments.

Whilst this requires some in-depth skills and knowledge, a good way to start to use podcasts is to access them as resources and information sites for your subjects and your students.

The iTunes store has lots of podcasts available, and is a good source of language podcasts. Some universities are now uploading lectures to iTunes.

Here are some interesting Podcast sites for you to check out:

edna

edna 2

iTunes

Douchy’s biology podcast

room 208

digital podcast directory

podkids australia

tech savvy girls

podcasting in education

australian podcast directory

the pod lounge

science and engineering podcast directory

nasacast

necc podcast

podcast 411

The term podcast is made up of ‘pod’ as in ‘iPod’ and ‘cast’ as in broadcast.

Podcasts are audio or video files that are published on the Web and sent free to subscribers who download them to play on an MP3 player, laptop or computer.

Podcasts are designed to be listened to at a time that suits the listener, ‘just in time’.

Podcasts are different to streamed audio and can be automatically downloaded to a computer (subscribed) and retrieved at a a later date.

Podcasting = media (MP3 files) + method of downloading (XML or RSS feeds)

Janine Bowes has a great entry on Podcasting on her Blog:

Tapping into social netwroking for e-learning - Introduction to Podcasting

and

TOOLS FOR THE TEKS: INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM

with links to

Apple’s podcasting for education site