Audacity

Audacity installation file: [|audacity 1_2_6.exe]
 * LAME encoder file: [|lame encoder.zip] **


 * Audacity Considerations and Applications **

As a multi-track recording program, Audacity can be a great support for your curriculum. The individual teacher will know best where this program will fit into his/her courses; however, the following examples/considerations might provide some guidance.


 * Accessibility to and Ease of Use of the Program **

Anyone can get a copy of Audacity by simply downloading it. There are no costs associated and, as digitally based recording programs go, it is  remarkable easy to use. If you have a computer with a microphone input (almost all do) you can use Audacity. Also, it is important to note that if our students are capable of creating and saving word processing files, they can do the same with Audacity files.


 * Analog to Digital Recording **

It is very easy with this program to convert analog recordings to digital. In English this means that you can easily convert your cassette tapes to digital format. Once this is done you can burn these to cd. This might be of particular benefit to special needs, music and French teachers who may be  using older materials on cassette. These materials can also be saved to your laptop so they _re always accessible.


 * Storage and Movement of Files **

The good thing about Audacity is that files are easy to store and to move around. As an example you could set up a folder for each student and then save a couple of speaking samples into the folder. If you wanted to send these to files parents, they can be emailed. The files are in MP3 format so they can be read by parents as long as they have a program like Quicktime or Windows Media Player.

=** Specific Subject Areas **=

The capabilities of this program allow it to have implications for a number of programs. While he examples I have listed below might relate to specific subject areas, there may also be some crossover to other subjects.

record speaking samples. These maybe a part of formal public speaking events, or simply off-the-cuff speaking. For the student this is an invaluable, formative assessment tool because it allows them to hear themselves as they sound to others. This can be better than any comments that a teacher might provide. Using recorded samples of public speaking provides an excellent way to teach using exemplars.
 * // English Language Arts //**
 * // Speaking //**** . ** This is where Audacity can be a tremendous tool. It is very easy to

Several recordings can be made and saved for each student, providing an excellent assessment tool to judge any improvement that might occur throughout the year.
 * // Reading //**** . ** With Audacity teachers can have records of students reading.

example, have them write and record a radio play or advertisement. For poetry it is an excellent tool to use for teaching to write poetry within specific rhythms.
 * // Creative Writing //**// . // Try using Audacity in creative writing applications. For

Note: Audacity to Promote Language Arts Across the Curriculum. Many of the activities listed above fall into the realm of Language Arts; however, they are activities that can be applied to virtually any subject.

http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education [] [] [] [] [|Audacity Practice.docx] [|Audacity.pptx] [|Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf] [|Pod-suasive_ELA example.docx]


 * // Social Studies //**

Try using Audacity as a tool to recreate radio programming from the past. For example, have students create radio _specials _ announcing events such as VE Day, the sinking of the S.S. Caribou, the announcement of the great sealing disaster of 1914. Have students make up and perform songs depicting important cultural or historical events.

http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education [] [] [] [] [] [] [|Audacity Practice.docx] [|Audacity.pptx] [|Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf]


 * // Health Education //**

Try using Audacity to create public service ads re. topics like smoking, drug abuse, safety, respect, fairness, etc. Remember that these can be posted on teacher/school websites adding a social action element to projects.

http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education [] [] [|Audacity Practice.docx] [|Audacity.pptx] [|Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf]


 * // Music //**

The benefits of Audacity have already been shown at Clarenville Middle School for music students. Beginner band students were recorded, their samples being placed on Mr. Drover _s website. This enabled students to gain an invaluable understanding of how they actually sound. In my case, this was a great motivator for my children to practice! You can also use the program to encourage music composition. With proper editing, and considerations for copyright it has the potential to be an excellent fund. Again, it _s a great way to highlight great performances.

http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education [] [] [|Audacity Practice.docx] [|Audacity.pptx] [|Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf]


 * // Technology //**

If you are looking for a program to enhance Technology programs, this is a good place to start. Audacity would be easy for students to learn, it is hands on, and it allows the student to produce any number of different types of final product. This is also made easier now with the addition of the two recording workstations.

http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education [] [] [|Audacity Practice.docx] [|Audacity.pptx] [|Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf]


 * // Special Needs //**

The benefits of Audacity as a reading aid have been discussed earlier. The program can also be used effectively in cases of oral testing, or in cases where students experience difficulty with writing. Again, from the point of storage and movement of files. This program has great benefits.

http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education [] [] [|Audacity Practice.docx] [|Audacity.pptx] [|Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf] [|Pod-suasive_ELA example.docx]


 * // Math and Science //**

Audacity is a free audio editor and recorder. Students can use audacity to record podcasts on various math topics as part of multimedia projects. They can use audacity to explain new terms, describe a math process like the steps to solving an equation, record a song describing a math concept, or record tutoring tips for other classmates. The ideas are limitless with this easy to use program. Teachers can also use this program to post messages on their web pages for students or for parents.

Clearly some subjects are suited more to the use of Audacity than others; however, we must not preclude that the program has no use within subjects like math and science. Currently the grade 6 students are recording a song based on the planets. Again, think about using the program to create public service ads dealing with environmental responsibility. As for Math - why not, it just requires a bit more imagination. One thing is for sure - the students will enjoy the experience and they can learn from it.

http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education [] [] [] [] [] [|Audacity Practice.docx] [|Audacity.pptx] [|Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf] [|WAVES-Science Lesson Plan.pdf]

//**Foreign Language**// [] [] [] [|Audacity Practice.docx] [|Audacity.pptx] [|Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf]