Using Sound

headphones Many people have a preference to learn something new by listening to someone - whether to a mini-lecture, real-life language dialogue or by tuning into a radio programme. Sound can be listened to, and captured on many mobile devices. This can be used for learning in a number of ways including:

Listen to instructions of a process or sequence to practice language and listening skills - a 'Walkman tour' for any situation.
Listen to or listen again to a radio broadcast relating to subject.
Listen to podcasts of news, stories and interviews to identify style, genre, use of language or analysis of content.
Listen to other learners’ sound bites or anecdotes about a particular aspect of a course or subject matter or about their own windfall learning.
For evaluative purposes they can listen to prompts for evaluation so learner can then record own comments.
Create verbal instructions for others in a particular language.
Create immediate sound bites – recording noises of the street, animals, interviewing people talking in anecdotal language for later analysis or use in quizzes, presentations etc
Record an audio book from their own transcript.
Work collaboratively to create a ‘sound history’ of their community.

mp3 player

The PDA, mobile phone or digital audio player can capture and record sounds as you experience them – at a meeting, in a class discussion or out in the community. On the other hand the device can become the player so you can listen to previously recorded sound files.

Sound files can support learners so they can see typed text and at the same time listen to a verbal version of the text. This not only encourages more accurate reading and comprehension but also can help to improve listening skills.

In Practice

Preston College has been experimenting using MP3 sound recording to capture student’s evaluation. "They’re more articulate if you can see each other’s white of the eyes without the ‘barrier of paper’. We’ve also captured comments and sounds on a trip to Wales including the Wales Sheep Voice Choir which can be heard at the end of one of the podcasts. At the moment we’re considering using music, which the students like, overlaid with advice and guidance ‘sound bites’ as broadcasted sound throughout a well-used corridor at college – a ‘wired corridor’ where there could be ‘learning by stealth mode.” Paul Flanagan, Preston College

In Practice

small ipod The popular digital music player - the IPod is being used in an innovative way in Blackpool, thanks to NIACE funding . A group of fourteen visually challenge adults are using Apple iPods to develop a flexible way of providing audio information and access to text based materials.

Blackpool Borough Council in partnership with Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Society for the Blind have used funds to set up a digital recording studio where audio resources can be compiled and downloaded onto iPods. The technology allows for easy editing of sound files and a manageable way to store audio resources. “Since the decision to go ahead with this Project there had been speculation from various quarters that the use of iPods was a mistake as they were not user friendly from a visually impaired person’s (VIP’s) perspective. How wrong they were. VIPs involved from day one showed tremendous enthusiasm to engage in the use of new technology and could not wait to get their hands on these precious iPods which they had heard about but had not had any contact with previously" Read Blackpool's IPod report

In Practice

Wolverhampton University use IPods, podcasts and ITunes in various ways:

Enhanced podcasts are used to engage students 'beyond the lecture' and to encourage them to review their learning during the week. The podcasts, based on the week's class contents, are 10 - 15 minutes in length and incorporate a quiz at the beginning and at the end with engaging prompts throughout to encourage the students to pause and think. Video or still images are included so the students can view visual prompts in ITunes while listening to the tutor's commentary.
Subject specific sound files have been created e.g. a recording of a heart beat for Healthcare students to listen and review. These sound files are available on the virtual learning envrionment to access on a computer or to download to listen on an MP3 player or IPod.
To encourage reflective practice the students are recorded during their music practice and then asked to reflect on and record their self-evaluation.

Realistically it takes about 1 hour to create a minute of podcast - worthwhile if a database of 'pods' can be stored for next year's class'

Audio books, in MP3 format, are available at a variety of shops online. Although very few are free, some come with free samples so you can ensure the quality is acceptable before purchase. The downside of audio books is the file size – usually extremely large especially if the quality is high.

The Podcast for Educators weblog provides ideas and discussion about the use of podcasts in education. It asks “Is providing educational podcasts via mobile phones the next evolutionary step in podcasting?"

The digital TV channel for teachers has a 'They didn't teach me that' podcast in the general zone.

In Practice

Cornwall Adult Education Service have used the combination of transcripts and Podcasts with Skills for Life learners. “Once you’ve got the podcast running – they can follow the audio looking at the written word. Apart from the BBC's podcasts there is also the South Yorkshire Police website to download useful podcasts like Internet Fraud. They also have transcripts available”

Find the voice recording function on your mobile phone or PDA and record a short message. Listen back to hear the clarity, tone and whether you can hear hiss or background noise.

To discover more about recording sound files go to the Technical Tips audio section.

Podcasts are becoming an increasingly popular teaching and learning tool. The BBC has a range of podcasts from radio programmes and all you need is a computer to hear these sound files and others available on the Internet. However if you want to listen to a podcast while you’re on the move then you need an MP3 player or a device that can play MP3 sound files i.e. PDA, mobile phone or Ipod.

Mobile Technology - the handheld choice

Using Sound

In Practice

In Practice

In Practice

In Practice

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