Open Educational Media

Educational Audio

Examples and resources

Using recorded audio in the classroom is old as recorded audio itself. Educational uses of audio were predicted to be among the primary uses of the phonograph intended by Edison in 1878. The audio test recaptured in this historical audio recording from 1927.

Historical audio recording from 1927. Thomas Edison Mary

Recorded audio can be used in numerous academic contexts.

  • To provide students with a study aid they can review after lecture;
  • To enable students to review the lecture in preparation for discussion and debate;
  • To demonstrate a task, procedure, or complex concept that would benefit from multimedia presentation and/or the ability to watch repeatedly;
  • To use on an ongoing basis as a reference for students;
  • To free up class time for discussion. Making recorded lectures available before class meetings makes more time available for discussion and hands-on activities

Educational audio examples

Listen through some of the examples of educational audio below, consider ways sound could be used in your own learning space.

SFU podcasts

Amplify Podcast Network, re-imagining the sound of scholarship – https://amplifypodcastnetwork.ca/

Research in Focus – https://www.sfu.ca/education-research-hub/research-in-focus/research-in-focus-podcast.html

Below the Radar – https://www.sfu.ca/sfuwoodwards/community-engagement/Below-the-Radar.html

SFU Stories – https://www.sfu.ca/cee/news/how-one-lecturer-is-using-podcasts-to-make-course-concepts-more-real-in-her-online-course.html

Educational podcasts

You Got This – https://yougotthis.trubox.ca/
Praxis Pedagogy – http://praxispedagogy.com/
The Teaching Online Podcast – https://cdl.ucf.edu/teach/resources/topcast/
Leading Lines – https://leadinglinespod.com/
Gettin’ Air – https://learningnuggets.ca/category/gettin-air/
Teaching in Higher Ed – https://teachinginhighered.com/episodes/
The EdSurge Podcast – https://www.edsurge.com/research/guides/the-edsurge-on-air-podcast
The Flipped Learning Network – https://podcasts.flippedlearning.org/
Pushing the Edge – https://pushingtheedge.org/
SFU Media Lab (under production) – https://medialab.opened.ca/

Learning and Teaching Technology on Soundcloud

Ready to record your audio project?

Check out he SFU Maker Space Audio Studio for high quality recording space.  https://www.lib.sfu.ca/facilities/make-create/maker-commons/tools-spaces/audio-studio
Online Audio Course – https://canvas.sfu.ca/courses/49204

Recording an interview remotely with Zencaster – https://zencastr.com/

Mediasite – https://stream.sfu.ca/

Recording tips

1. Script your dialogue – Write out your dialogue in a script format and practice, practice, practice!  There is always room for improvisation, but be sure to have the core of your dialogue planed out.

2. Plan out all the gear that will be needed – Are you recording with an external USB mic? Are you recording directly into your laptop microphone? Make sure you plan to have a microphone, any necessary cables, headphones, installed software, etc. Do some test recordings to make sure all your software and hardware are working properly.

3. Find a quiet location – Record somewhere where you can control the environment. Background sounds might be needed in some recording to provide context, but be sure that they dialogue is audible at all times.

4. Get close to the microphone – but not too close – keeping the microphone a 4-12 inches away ensures the recording is loud enough and that background sounds do not overpower the voice.  If you are to close you’ll pick up loud unwanted plosives and proximity effect. If you want, you can use a windscreen on the microphone to prevent wind and breathes from distorting the microphone capsule.

5. Set a proper level on your recording device – Levels should be set so you see your dialogue is being recorded on the meters at -12db to -6db and has absolute peaks at -6db. Make sure to take plenty of time to set proper recording levels!

6. Don’t try to capture “The One” – Make several recording and select the best recording. Give yourself plenty of options when you’re in the editing phase.

Samples to consider

 

 

Copyright Free Music and Sound

Adding music and/or sound effects can enhance your video or audio piece.  Here are some resources for royalty-free and Creative Commons audio works.