Audio+Files,+Audacity,+and+Podcasts

=__Audio Files, Audacity and Podcasting__=


 * Welcome ** to my workshop presentation today (10-23-08) for the 2008 BSN Conference. For a formal introduction and to learn more about me feel free to open this document - [[file:Audio Files.doc]] if you did not receive a hard copy at the door.

Music Educators-Click the word doc. below to learn how to create recordings of your concert for archive purposes.

Please, If you are in the room and on the wireless, use only the sites we are discussing, close all other online programs including e-mail and avoid streaming video or audio. It just slows us all down. Thank you for helping make this a positive learning experience for all!
 * DISCLAIMER ** - My experience with hotel wirless connections tells me that we may experience problems.


 * Do you have Audacity? ** if not, while you are waiting, or as the session is beginning, please follow the link below to download audacity to your lap-top if you would like to participate in the hands on portion of this session.[|Download Audacity Here] Please download the //Stable 1.2 - for all users // version.

Podcast hosted at [|www.podbean.com]
 * Introduction ** - My brief thoughts on teaching and technology. [[file:Opening Remarks.doc]] [|Listen to the Podcast]


 * The History of Audio ** - media type="file" key="History of Recorded Sound.wmv"

The term ** Podcast ** comes from i__pod__ broad__cast__.

To understand podcast and audio files we need to know a little about file types. Audacity creates its own file type. These files will need to be exported for play in standard media players such as windows media player, itunes, quicktime, ipod and mp3 player. Here is an approximate table for your use pertaining to audio files, sizes and players.

best quality, raw audio || 1 multiply by 10 for MB || 10 can be as little as 5 || itunes - ipod Windows Media Player - MP3 Player || is compressed audio || 1 || 1 || all above Compression = Quality loss ||
 * **File Extension** || **Minutes is Equal to..** || **Mega Bytes (MB)** || **Plays In** ||
 * WAV
 * MPA, MP3, mpeg3
 * WMA || 1 || 1 || Windows Media and MP3 only ||
 * aac, MP4 || 1 || 1 || Apple only, itunes and ipod ||
 * aiff || 1 || 10 || Apple only ||

Here is a link to a paper that was written with a deeper explanation. Excellent info! [|Click Me!]


 * Audacity ** is a free audio editing software. Easily downloaded and excellent for creating audio files/podcasts. To use this software you will need to download it at the link provided above, have a computer with a built in microphone and speakers, or purchase a microphone and speakers to plug into your computer. Wal Mart sells a few: [|$9 Lapel] [|$30 Headset and Mic]

1st - make sure your computer sound is on (not muted), and you have a mic and speakers. 2nd - Open Audacity 3rd - HERE ARE THREE LOOK FOR'S THAT WILL MAKE YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE RUN SMOOTHLY:
 * Lets make a Podcast! **

1 -There is a small text box somewhere at the top center to right of the page. Make sure it says Mic In, or Mic Volume, or Mic 2 -There are two volume sliders at the top. Set them for 75% to the right (or up). 3 -Make sure the selector tool is selected. It is top left most tool under the word file, Looks like a Capitol Letter I See all below.

Here is a look at the controls: Transport Buttons=Rewind --Play Record ---Pause Stop -Fast Forward

__Assignment__ - On the back of the paper you received on the way in is a copy of the Gettysburg Address. Please read the third paragraph and be sure to read the crossed out text as well. We will learn to edit that out. Here is the text

__Push the RED record button__ and begin speaking into the computer mic. Speak slowly, clearly, and at the mic (not too close). When you are done click STOP. Then click REWIND and PLAY to hear it back. Click **save as**, name it and save it in a folder you will remember.

__Let's Edit__ - Watch the sound waves as you listen to identify the crossed out words //TO STAND HERE//. Select just before that sound wave, hold and drag to just after the sound wave then let go. You have highlighted that sound wave. Click edit and cut or simply delete and the sound wave disappears. Existing sound moves over. The flaw is removed.

__Scrub the head and the tail!__ The head and tail is the beginning and end. We need to use the same process to remove unwanted dead space. Leave a little though and lets place a fade in at the head and a fade out at the tail. Should we change our voice? Hmmmm...

__Listen to it again__ and make sure it sounds the way you want it to sound. **Save the file.**

__Time to export.__ Under file click export as WAV and send it to a folder. It will be high quality and able to be played in many players.

__Check the file size__ of the WAV file. If it is more thn 10MB you should convert it to MP3 to make the file smaller and more manageable. You can do this in audacity by downloading the LAME MP3 Encoder from the audacity site, or better yet, use an online file convertor. Here are a few links- Zamzar http://www.zamzar.com/ Media Converter online http://www.mediaconverter.org/ http://media-convert.com/


 * //So lets review. Just 3 steps. Record the audio in Audacity, edit the audio, and export as WAV converting to mp3 if over 10MG.//**

Here is my finished Gettysburg address - media type="file" key="Gettysburgfinal.mp3"


 * Examples of Podcasting in the Classroom **

__Speech projects__: Have the students upload both the text and podcastof a speech to your wikispace. Theycan then ue the discussion board to help each other improve. Here is an example - http://libertybands.wikispaces.com/Chad

__This Day In History__: Put History students in groups. Have them research a day and put together a radio broadcast of This Day In History. Post it on your web site!

__Reading strategy__: Students who struggle with reading can benefit from having a recording of someone reading to them to follow along with for homework. Or, they can record themselves reading for practice.

__Science__: students record a play by play of the steps involved in dissection as they do it. Math: students explain their work on an equation.

__Government__: Students analyze the elements of an effective political campaign message and create a radio ad for Obama. Another group does the same for McCain. The two are compared.

__Music__ Students create multi-track recordings of original music.

__Computer__ Applications students create podcast instructions of how to use other technology's.

__Teacher__ records an important lecture and posts to her website for absent students to access.

__More__? Interpretive reading, interviews, drama character readings.

How about the __auditory learners__ in your classroom? The music students? Can you create a differentiated project that allows the students to choose an end product. They can give a speech, produce a radio podcast, make a movie, or write a paper?

Podcasting lends itself to __Project-Based Learning__!

Your turn......what can you think of? __How can you use this to improve student learning?__


 * Questions ** about Audio, Audacity and Podcasting?

Do you mind taking this quick survey for me? You can do it later, I'll leave it up for a few days. Thanks!
 * What Did You Think? **

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