As part of the balanced literacy program
here at ASFM, we are able to integrate technology in a manner that
supports teachers and students across the literacy areas. Audio recording is available in several locations depending on its mode and participants (consult table for details). The application of this teachnique offers wonderful results
for recording reading, writing and oral language samples in a variety
of contexts. It provides an authentic opportunity to collect audio
samples while engaging students in their own learning. Although the
possibilities are numerous, here are some ideas how you can integrate this technology into your classroom activities.
Students record themselves reading; listen to the recording; and complete a self reflection/assessment about which reading strategies they used
Any recording can be published on the Internet through the ASFM website (reading aloud writing pieces, books, content area projects and assignments)
Teachers could use student recordings to model a particular strategy to the other students
Teachers could use recordings during assessment time (QRI, running records, fluency, etc.).
Teachers could even share recordings with parents to show examples of on-level, below-level, and above-level skills.
You can show your students progress and works to others using the school's website.
Here is a lesson plan for using the audio recorder for "retell" purposes. (J. Stanzione)
Here is a sample audio and accompanying text of a kinder student
reading a level C text at end of year. This
offers some opportunities to practice. Click here for the text.
List to the audio here. (G. Pedersen)
At ASFM, all computers at the ELEM campus
are (can be) equipped with an application called Audio Recorder (or Sound Recorder OS9). These are simple-to-use
audio recorder that allows you to record any audio sound within the
vicinity of the computer. You can record a student on your classroom
computer or the whole class in the computer labs 1, 2, or 4.
Open the application, a file will appear. Click on RECORD and
begin the session. Click STOP to end the recording session.
A window will appear requesting you to save the recording. Type in the desired name and click SAVE. See tips below.
Note: There is virtually no time limit to the recording (except for space limits on the computer). Pausing will not stop the recording.
Playback
Double-click on the file that is created by the software to listen to it in Quicktime Player.
File Management
We suggest that you name each recording with student
last name and date recorded to make filing them easier. Please talk
with your computer teacher if you want to gather the audio files. There are ways to use electronic drop-boxes as collection points for these
recordings. Please be aware that audio files are large in nature, so
only save the most important pieces. Ensure that the Preferences in
Audio Recorder are set to MP3 format to reduce file sizes by a factor
of 1/10th.
Tips
In a classroom, you could have one student at a time
doing recordings.
In a computer lab, it is best to have every other student speaking
at any given time to cut down on noise. With the use of headphones
for each student, one group listens to themselves while the other group is speaking/recording.
Notes:
We opted not to use tape recorders b/c of the difficulty
of easily finding one's place after playback. We opted not to use iPod
with voice recorder attachment due to iTunes Library considerations
as well as the expense of iPods.
Type
Grade Level
Location
Instructions
3-5
Labs 1, 2 and 4
OSX Audio Recorder
Students use own login account + hand in folder
HR Tchr accesses files in Handin Folder
K-2
Lab 1
OSX Audio Recorder
Students use usual HR login accounts
HR teacher accesses files on elem-admin
IT Dept. can assist with this
K-2
Lab 2 or 4
OSX Audio Recorder
Students use generic login accounts
HR teacher accesses files with help of computer teacher
