Tools for Audio Projects

There are a number of good tools to use for creating audio projects for and with students. Here are some of the favorites:

Websites:

• Vocaroo: The simplest voice recording tool I have ever found. Go to the site, allow the Flash player to access your microphone, and you’re set. No login or installation required. You can send the recording by email, save it, post it to a social media account, or get a link or embed code for your own website. To send the file by email, you need to enter both a sending and a receiving email address, and complete a captcha. This site is fairly easy for learners to use, but if your learners don’t have email, you could allow them to use your address for sending recordings.
• Chirbit: Like Vocaroo, Chirbit allows you to easily record audio on their website and post it to social media, send by email, etc. Unlike Vocaroo, you do need to create an account and login to use the service. The advantage of doing so is that you get a personalized channel where all your recordings are accessible (www.chirbit.com/yourusername). This makes it easy to direct learners to find recordings that you’ve created. If learners create accounts, they’ll have their own channels, too.
• Voki: A “voki” is an animated avatar (a digital representation of the self, often a cartoon) that you can record audio for, which the voki will then lip-sync. It’s free and requires no login for the most basic functions (you can sign up and subscribe to services for more functionality). Vokis can be sent by email or posted to social media. You can also embed a voki on your website.

Software:

• Audacity: Audacity is a free, full-featured audio recording software program for Windows or Mac. Using Audacity allows you to make longer recordings and edit your recordings as much as you like. Once you have created your audio files, to distribute them to learners you would need to upload them to a web-based service like Chirbit or iPadio.

Cross-Platform (computer, iPad, smartphone):

• iPadio: iPadio is very similar to Chirbit in its functionality – create an account, use it to make recordings, and host them on your own personal channel. Sharing by social media is somewhat more complicated, and it does not have a built-in email function. However, what iPadio offers is iPad, iPhone, and Android apps that make recording audio an absolute breeze! You can even record to your iPadio channel by calling in on the phone. Once the account is set up, this is the most convenient tool for teachers I have found.

iPad/iPhone Audio Recording Apps:

• Flexi Voice: The App Store has dozens of audio recording apps. Most are free to try, and cost between $1-$3 to remove ads or access all features. I’ve tried many, and they all have their pros and cons, but my favorite for simplicity of use is Flexi Voice. For learners who are new to technology, I think it has the most intuitive interface, with large buttons and limited text. If the iPad has an email account set up, it allows easy sending of recordings by email.
• Video Camera: iPad 2s and newer have a built-in video camera. Don’t overlook this app! It’s easy to use and has built-in functionality to email video clips or post them to YouTube, Facebook, etc. With the iPad’s ability to switch between self-facing and outward-facing cameras, it’s useful for making self-recordings as well as for recording others/the world.
• Sock Puppets (by Smith Micro Software): For a fun, light-hearted change of pace, try the Sock Puppets app! Make short video clips of virtual sock puppets while recording yourself and/or a friend. For the right group of learners, this could be just the thing to get them talking.
• Show Me!: If you want to record audio over a whiteboard where you can make text and show images, try the Show Me! app. It is designed for educators who want to create instructional videos (think Khan Academy-style). You can also find and use other teachers’ Show Me! files.

Now that you have had a chance to test some different tools and create some audio files, here are some ways to share them"

• Your service’s channel: Using a service like Chirbit or iPadio makes it simple – just use the channel associated with your username.
• YouTube: YouTube.com is the world’s #1 service for video sharing – but sadly many school districts block it.
• TeacherTube: If you can’t use YouTube, Teacher Tube has a section dedicated to audio files! The site’s ads are annoying, but you can pay to upgrade and reduce them.
• Email: If your learners have email accounts, Vocaroo, Chirbit, and most iPad and phone apps make it easy to send files by email.
• Your website: If you have a website, blog, wiki, Schoology class, Moodle course, etc, Vocaroo, Chirbit, and iPadio make it easy to get a link or embed code to put your audio on your site (assuming you know how to edit your site).
• Social media: If you have a Facebook page or Twitter account, many apps and services will allow you to post directly to your account. Again, many schools block these services, so they may not be a good option for you.