For a theatre-geek teacher who quite often designs sound for a show, this is a topic close to the heart. In this section, two applications will be covered, one that allows for sound editing and one that is used for explainer videos and commercials.
Audacity
Audacity is a free, open source software download that is used for editing sound of all types, from the spoken word to background music to special effects (audacityteam.org, 2020). The first exposure to Audacity was through the local community theatre. A sound legend gave a seminar/workshop and the rest is history!
To be perfectly honest, Audacity does more than a teacher will ever have time to do. For a teacher flipping a class or recording material for a video or podcast, this is an invaluable tool. It allows one to save as an audacity project, and it is also very easy to export to another format which can be used in the project...and it works multiple platforms, for those that go between and Mac and a PC (Audacityteam.org, 2020).
Audacity is easy enough to use that in minutes a student can be shown the basics and be sent off to record on his own.
If students are combining already created pieces of music or dialog to mix a new project, they must take into consideration the laws regarding use of others’ material. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) (2016) has standards regarding student use of technology that investigates digital citizenship and permissions. Standards 2b and 2c focus on the ethical use of someone else’s material by focusing on the rights and permissions that should be considered.
For fine-tuning or mixing sound for an educational project, this is a great one. Don’t forget it is totally free.
Doodly
Doodly is a purchasable software application that was created for businesses (Doodly.com, 2020). It has a bit of a learning curve if you are trying to create something specific but is very intuitive. It allows you to create a video about any topic where a hand draws on a board what you are explaining. The hand will draw anything you want it to, from text to pictures. It comes with a large library AND a library of royalty free music which alleviates issues with copyright. You can also download your own material into Doodly for use as well.
Doodly is a great alternative to PowerPoint or similar presentations. It is very entertaining to watch; the hardest part would be keeping students on track with what they are learning. Doodly could be used to show math problem steps or complete a book report in a way that is different; this makes it worth trying. Showing a student the same material in a new way can help with both engagement and grasping the concept.
The ISTE-S section six on creative communication applies to Doodly. Not only will they be learning to express themselves creatively, but they will be learning a technology they may use in future careers.
When teaching students to use Doodly, they are encouraged to use the stock images and music, avoiding any issues with copyright or Fair Use. Doodly does cost, but if it will be used regularly, it is highly worth it. Both technologies were created for something other than education, but teachers use both with great classroom success.
Audacity
Audacity is a free, open source software download that is used for editing sound of all types, from the spoken word to background music to special effects (audacityteam.org, 2020). The first exposure to Audacity was through the local community theatre. A sound legend gave a seminar/workshop and the rest is history!
To be perfectly honest, Audacity does more than a teacher will ever have time to do. For a teacher flipping a class or recording material for a video or podcast, this is an invaluable tool. It allows one to save as an audacity project, and it is also very easy to export to another format which can be used in the project...and it works multiple platforms, for those that go between and Mac and a PC (Audacityteam.org, 2020).
Audacity is easy enough to use that in minutes a student can be shown the basics and be sent off to record on his own.
If students are combining already created pieces of music or dialog to mix a new project, they must take into consideration the laws regarding use of others’ material. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) (2016) has standards regarding student use of technology that investigates digital citizenship and permissions. Standards 2b and 2c focus on the ethical use of someone else’s material by focusing on the rights and permissions that should be considered.
For fine-tuning or mixing sound for an educational project, this is a great one. Don’t forget it is totally free.
Doodly
Doodly is a purchasable software application that was created for businesses (Doodly.com, 2020). It has a bit of a learning curve if you are trying to create something specific but is very intuitive. It allows you to create a video about any topic where a hand draws on a board what you are explaining. The hand will draw anything you want it to, from text to pictures. It comes with a large library AND a library of royalty free music which alleviates issues with copyright. You can also download your own material into Doodly for use as well.
Doodly is a great alternative to PowerPoint or similar presentations. It is very entertaining to watch; the hardest part would be keeping students on track with what they are learning. Doodly could be used to show math problem steps or complete a book report in a way that is different; this makes it worth trying. Showing a student the same material in a new way can help with both engagement and grasping the concept.
The ISTE-S section six on creative communication applies to Doodly. Not only will they be learning to express themselves creatively, but they will be learning a technology they may use in future careers.
When teaching students to use Doodly, they are encouraged to use the stock images and music, avoiding any issues with copyright or Fair Use. Doodly does cost, but if it will be used regularly, it is highly worth it. Both technologies were created for something other than education, but teachers use both with great classroom success.