Spending a period in the computer lab with students attempting to create audio files can turn into an exercise in minimizing headaches. Having incorporated Audacity into several classroom experiences now, I’ve learned the hard way some lessons that I will share here:
- Create an electronic hand-in folder for the class before starting the assignment. As with most schools, our server allows for the quick and easy creation of groups and classes with icons appearing on student computer profiles for the receiving of assignments, and a drop box for their electronic documents.
- Once students open Audacity, have them hit “record” and then immediately hit “pause.” Let them catch their breath, review their lines, and understand that pause is now the only button they need for the duration of the recording session. They should not hit “stop” until the very end.
- Remind students not to over-use the pause button. If they make a mistake, get flustered, or swear, they should just take a deep breath and begin reading their line again. All mistakes will be edited at the end.
- Remind students to wear their headsets and to be mindful of their neighbours. Their microphones will pick up other voices and noises in the lab.
- Once students have read to a natural break (the end of a scene or poem, usually), they may hit “stop” and save the file. They should also hand in this base file, along with the _Data folder, before any editing is done. That way, in the event of a catastrophe — and at least one group will have a catastrophe — all will not be lost.
- Students should be aware that once “stop” has been selected, any future recording creates a new track. That’s okay. Tracks can be pasted together.
- One little detail: the mouse may need to be clicked at the beginning of a track to hear it in its entirety.
- In locating errors, students should carefully note the time and duration by watching the ruler while listening to their track.
- Students should export their final version (in MP3 format) to the drop-in box. Exporting may take longer than five minutes and should not be left until just before the bell.
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Image by Emuishere Peliculas
