Lab Entry #5

Audio Recording Tools for Classroom Production

Anchor.fm

Today in class we looked at podcasts, audio design, and worked with a smartphone-based audio recording tool called Anchor. Anchor is primarily used to host podcasts and interviews, but may be used for a variety of other audio-based web content.

The task we were assigned was very simple: record a 3–5 minute podcast. The podcast had to include a discussion about a topic containing at least two speakers. We titled our podcast Why Education? and held a discussion on the implementation of ecological education in the classroom. My group members Amanda, April and I pretended we were experts on education and the environment, while Heather pretended she was a widely-viewed and listened-to professional podcast host.

This lab was a lot of fun because while we only pretended to be experts on a specific topic, we had to do some minimal research as to not risk looking ridiculous and misinformed. We quickly educated our self on the topic and formed an opinion in order to facilitate a discussion. Some of us, including my self, were bizarrely nervous. It almost felt like we were really talking on the radio, and so we struggled not to fumble over our words.

Working hard…

Uses for Teachers:

1. Teachers could assign students to use Anchor in a preliminary activity for a unit on public speaking. Public speaking is a valuable skill for anybody, and Anchor will allow students to talk about something they are passionate about, perhaps in the form of a monologue or podcast, without the pressure of speaking in front of a class. The pressure for perfection will still be there, but much less so given that students can rehearse alone and hear it back to themselves.
2. Teachers could also assign students to use Anchor in a research unit in Science class. Students would be assigned to pick from a selection of science topics, do some research on the topic and present a finished podcast with an interview, much like we did. This activity could be useful in teaching students to separate fact from opinion as the content of the podcast would be based in scientific fact.
3. Finally, students could use Anchor in a unit on debate etiquette. Students would be tasked with defending a “side” of a contentious political topic, regardless of whether they agree with it or not. This activity will enhance their critical thinking skills, as well as refining their presentation and speaking abilities. This activity would be done in groups or as a whole class, and students would be able to listen to the recording of the debate to hear how defensible their arguments were.