Digital Audio Tools in the Classroom

This week's readings talked about using digital audio tools in the classroom.  There are so many benefits of incorporating digital audio tools in the classroom, and I believe that every teacher should try to use at least one of these tools in their classrooms to enhance their literacy lessons.  Using digital audio tools can be an easy way for students to self-evaluate their reading, for teachers to provide feedback to students, and to enhance content outside of the classroom.

One digital audio tool I would consider using in my classroom is an audio recorder.  Audio recorders can come in many forms from physical devices, apps, websites, and more.  For example, this video shows a student using Garageband, an application available on a computer or tablet, to audio record herself.  The student was then able to self-evaluate her fluency of reading a text.  Not only was she able to playback her recording and listen to herself, but she was also able to visualize her oral reading and punctuation through the sound waves displayed.

I think having an audio recorder that displays sound waves available for students to use, would be a great tool to have in the classroom.  Audio recorders are fairly easy and simple to use, and can also be available for students' use outside of the classroom.  Teachers could use audio recorders to help students meet a variety of speaking and listening English Language Arts standards.  Two standards I would use a digital audio recorder with would be: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.4. Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. And CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.5. Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.
A digital audio recorder that includes sound waves would help students hear and see their volume levels and clear pronunciation of words. Students could also use a digital audio recorder to enhance their presentations with audio clips of their researching and reasoning.

References

National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers. (2010). Common Core State Standards for English language arts and literacy in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects. Washington, DC: Authors.

Sims, A. (n.d.). Guided Reading: Using Garage Band to Work on Fluency. Retrieved February 20, 2017, from http://edtap.psu.edu/video/reading/