Make Their Day: Add Audio to Online Learning

1
Make Their Day Add Audio to Online Learning

• M. Ann Bock, PhD, RD, LD
• Professor

2
Objectives

• To provide the participant with
• Reasons for incorporating audio into online
  courses
• Information about methods that can be used to
  include audio into online classes
• Information about pitfalls
• Hands on incorporation of audio

3
Reasons for Incorporating Audio

• Adds a reality to the course
• Enables the instructor to include more detail
  about a point
• Facilitates the incorporation of examples related
  to the material being presented
• Allows the student to listen to the material when
  convenient
• Allows student to go over material as many times
  as needed

4
Methods for Incorporating Audio
5
Centra

• Presentation platform
• Can use multiple programs
• Can hand program over to students to do if used
  in synchronous format
• Can archive for reviewing
• Accessed via internet
• Contact ICT Training Services

6
Steps to Using Centra

• Set up time for recording on Centra with Centra
  administrator
• If synchronous, must be consistent with defined
  class time
• Complete Powerpoint presentation
• Send Powerpoint to Centra administrator
• Make presentation
• Recommend providing Powerpoint handouts that are
  available via net

7
MS Producer

• If doing video, must have MS Powerpoint 2003
• Can include audio or audio/video
• Access via computer
• CD
• Internet
• See instructions

8
Whats a Podcast?
Podcast is an audio file (e.g.MP3) in talk show
format
DIY Radio
9
So Why Podcast?

• Provides faculty with an opportunity to provide
  verbal explanation of written material in
  asynchronous environment
• Allows faculty to post audio material that can be
  downloaded for listening via computer or MP3
  device.
• MP3 format provides high quality audio

10
So Why Podcast? 2

• Fulfills student need to hear an explanation of
  course material
• Allows student to review materials as many times
  as they want
• Allows student to study in a multitude of
  environments

11
Student Remarks

• I love it. I can listen to it when I drive to
  and from El Paso.
• It is wonderful. I can listen to your
  presentation over and over until I get it.
• It makes all the difference in the world when I
  can hear you.

12
Bock Approach to Audio
13
Bock Approach 2

• Record podcast using software that allows audio
  capture saving as MP3 file
• Record material in segments (20 min max per
  podcast) Chunk material
• Use your lecture notes or write a script
  Remember you must make the material clear need
  to be very descriptive Have the handouts you
  have given the students and describe what you see
  on the handout verbally.

14
Bock Approach 3

• Save the podcast as an MP3 file
• Use Windows Media Player to burn it to an audio CD

15
Real World Podcasts

• Outside of academia, an MP3 file is created using
  software such as Audio Hijack, Hot Key Sound
  Recorder or Audacity
• Upload the audio (MP3) file to a server
• Set up a blog at livejournal.com (LJ) add a
  blog entry that includes the a href tags and
  the uploaded MP3 file web location
• Set up account on feedburner.com (FB)

16
Real World Podcasts 2

• Enter the RSS feed URL provided by LJ
• Find and Select Smartcast option in FB
• FB will provide the new RSS feed URL
• Download iPodder, enter the RSS feed URL provided
  by FB set your schedule
• ?iTunes to hear Podcast and add to MP3 device

17
Pitfalls to Avoid

• FTF Class Recordings of Audio Alone and Audio
  Recordings in Other Venues
• Failure to include enough detail so that student
  can understand what is being presented
• Picking up background noise inherent in classroom
  
• Coughing, sneezing, extraneous talking, moving
  chairs, electrical noise

18
Make Their Day! Add Voice Over