Recording voice

Technology integration doesn't have to be overly complex to be effective.  Here's a simple idea that can be very powerful-- ask students to share something in a voice recording.  This might be their reaction to some reading or explaining a concept in their own words.  Think of how what you get might compare to what they would write.

image from pixabay.com

How is this done?

To record:

1. For students with smartphones, use the built in voice memo app (or try one of the many free apps available for iOS or Android).
2. For students with laptops, use the built in microphone to record to TwistedWave (web app) or Audacity (installed app).
3. Other students can borrow a handheld digital recorder or a mic to connect to a computer (from 118).  

To share:

1. Smartphones-- install the Google Drive app (for iOS). Share the audio file to Google Drive
2. TwistedWave-- File..Send..Google Drive
3. Audacity-- save as mp3, then upload to Google Drive
4. Once in Drive, share the file just as you would a Google Doc.
5. The audio will play inside Google Drive.

Here's a screencast on using TwistedWave and sharing from Google Drive:

Tools for presenting learning

Students, here are some ideas for tools you can use to present your learning.  I wrote it up for a specific class, but thought it might be useful as a general resources.  I've given a brief description and pros and cons of each tool.  Do you have any other tools that you think should be on this list?  Please let me know at cmacfadyen@cvuhs.org

Tech Tools for Presenting Your Learning

Powerpoint.

What it is- set of linked slides

Pros- you probably know how to use it already.  It has lots of features to enhance your presentation.  

Cons- doesn’t work well with YouTube video.

Google Presentation.

What it is- set of linked slides

Pros- web-based, easy to use.  Incorporates YouTube video.

Cons- no sound (other than from video).  Not as fully-featured as Powerpoint.

Prezi

What it is- a canvas with elements that are linked by a path.

Pros- allows for a creative path between elements, including zooming in and out. Has nice templates to start from.

Cons- Not great for lots of text.

Powtoon

What it is- a set of linked slides, but with animated features on each slide.

Pros- Professional looking and engaging.  You can control when things appear and disappear from slides.

Cons- Can’t do narration slide-by-slide. Only for the whole presentation.

Educreations (for iPad)

What it is-  use your iPad to record your screen

Pros- record while you draw on the iPad.  Can also import images and add text.

Cons- Can’t run other apps while recording.

Dipity

What it is- a tool for creating timelines.  

Pros- you can add multimedia to events on the timeline

Cons- Limited to content that is time-based (dates).

Pixton

What it is- comic strip creator.

Pros- sophisticated control of the character drawings.

Cons- not the easiest to use.  Need parent permission for account unless you’re 19.

Comix

What it is- comic strip creator

Pros- Easy to use.  Supports multi-languages, including Latin.  Comic strips can be printed or e-mailed

Cons- comics cannot be saved, so they need to be done in one shot.  Best to have the dialogue written out first, so you can just do the pictures and add in the text.

Glogster

What it is- online digital poster creator

Pros- Easy to use. Incorporates video and images easily.

Cons- Limited space on poster.  

WeVideo

What it is- online video editor

Pros- Nice editor. Easy to use. Make videos from still pictures and video clips

Cons- web-based, so you want decent wifi connection.  Can export 15 minutes of video per month with free account

Google Sites

What it is- create a web site with linked pages

Pros- can insert all kinds of content (video, Google Docs, maps, etc)

Cons- Hard to incorporate sound.

PhotoStory (for PC computers)

What it is- upload a series of images and add narration/commentary

Pros- easy to use, can record your voice directly into the app

Cons- No video.  Limited functionality.

VoiceThread

What it is- like Photostory, except you can put multiple comments on each slide.

Pros- web-based, mutlti-media can draw on screen to highlight while speaking

Cons- Intended more for group conversations than individual presentations.

iMovie (mac computers and iOS)

What it is- movie editor

Pros- It’s already on your mac.  Has templates you can use.

Cons- Titles and other elements can be hard to work with.  Not easy if you want to do more than use the template.

Windows MovieMaker (PC computers)

What it is- movie editor

Pros- Easy to use

Cons- Limited features.

MonkeyJam (PC computers)

What it is- stop motion animation software

Pros- create animation using legos, clay, etc.

Cons- I don’t know this software well, so…

GarageBand (mac computers)

What it is- audio recorder and editor

Pros- Lots of prerecorded “loops” for background music. Easy to use.

Cons- Interface can be challenging for beginners.

Audacity

What it is- audio recorder and editor

Pros- free download.  Lots of features.

Cons- Need to learn how to work with multiple tracks and importing audio, if needed.  No pre-installed “loops” (as in GarageBand)

Record audio on a smartphone

Teachers and students,
Need to create an audio recording-- perhaps to record to an interview, or practice a speech?  If you have a smartphone, then you have all the equipment you need! You can use the installed app or choose from many others to record audio.  You can then share the audio recording (e.g. by e-mail).  If desired, you can even edit the audio (on a computer, or on the phone itself-- with the appropriate app).
Don't have a smartphone?  CVU Media Services has digital handheld recorders to loan, or you can record yourself on any CVU computer, using Audacity.
If you haven't explored recording your voice on the phone, give it a try.

More Tools for ESL1

Originally posted 9/ 9/ 2012

Looking back on my last post (about ESL 1: Communication), I realize I may have violated the first condition for some folks-- some teachers and students may want to start with something even quicker than shooting and sharing video.  Here are some ideas you to try that are easy to set up:

1. VoiceThread. Upload a picture or file, give your students the link, and let the conversation begin!  At CVU, this has been used in world language classes to discuss famous Spanish paintings, for example.  Students can provide text comments, record audio comments, or even use webcams to provide video comments.
2. Jing.  Jing is a free tool for recording screencasts.  Students can record their voices as they capture video of their computer screen.  They might explain how they solved a math problem using Geogebra or take the video on a tour of a house they designed in SketchUp.
3. Audacity- It's free.  It's on all school computers.  Record audio, save as mp3.  Easy.

Tools for ESL 1

Originally posted 8/26/12

You: OK, Charlie, it's a new year and I want to try something new with technology!

My requirements:

1. Easy to do
2. Improves student learning

Me: I'm on it-- and I'll even arrange by ESL (our Expectations for Student Learning at CVU HS). Here goes:

ESL 1 Communication

Replace a written response assignment (essay, reflection, answers to questions, math problem, etc.) with an oral one.

Instead of--or in addition to-- having each student present to the class, use technology to capture the response.

Tools

For audio, students can record themselves using computers, handheld digital recorders (see Jacob in 118), or their own smartphones.

For video, students can record themselves using webcams (the mini carts at CVU all have these built in), standard or Flip video cameras (see Jacob in 118), or their smartphones.

It is easiest to minimize the editing needed for this sort of task, so students should strive to get the response in one take.  They will find that each successive attempt at the perfect take will improve the quality of the response.

Important- Where students run into the most difficulty is understanding media file types.  They may need to use a video or audio editor to convert their recording to the proper format.  I'd be happy to come in and explain this to your class.

How do they share the recording with the class/teacher?  There are lots of ways to do this.  If your students are already blogging (I'll be talking about that when we get to ESL 2- Writing) , they might include the recording in a blog post.  Otherwise, an easy way to share is using Google Docs (now called Google Drive).  Students can upload their recordings and control the visibility.  Here's a how-to (for video).

2nd semester tech boost

It's a new semester, and a chance to try something new with technology. Here are 10 simple things you can do right now! In a 10-minute meeting, we can get any of these ideas started:

1. Have students post their reactions to a reading/video on a Moodle forum....
2. ...or use a VoiceThread to get students’ reaction to a picture, video, or story.
3. Have students start a blog to write reflections on what they’re studying (go to GMail, More, Even More, Blogger).
4. ...or for a different approach to writing, have students create a comic strip summary of the day’s lesson.
5. Have your students record themselves speaking/reading, using Audacity or Aviary.
6. Create a Google alert to send you the latest results on any search query.
7. Start a parent e-mail list (see me to set this up- it only takes a few minutes!).
8. Create a YouTube playlist (or have students create them) for extending classroom learning.
9. Create a database or glossary in Moodle that all students can contribute to (see me to set this up).
10. Create a Google form (in Google Docs) to get input from students.

Why not give one of these a try? I'd love to help you get started.

(originally posted 3/10/12)