Audacity

=media type="custom" key="4715049"= =What is Audacity?= [|Audacity] is an open source software program that allows you to record sound. Why is this great for teachers? You can record students reading and send a mp3 of that recording to a reading specialist, parent, or save it for fluency assessments to monitor year long progress. Audacity also allows you to create podcasts!



Other ideas using Audacity include: Anything that you speak can be recorded--you are only limited by your imagination!
 * reading poetry aloud to hear rhythm and rhyme (Ex. Christopher Walken for "[|The Raven])
 * recording reader's theater
 * storytelling
 * reading famous speeches or student created speeches
 * recording debates
 * publishing personal narratives
 * creating a class storybook
 * making sound recordings from the first person point of view (diary or journal style)
 * making audio books for younger readers
 * reading fluency (record every quarter and check for progress)
 * recording/listening to interviews
 * recording how-to instructions or directions
 * create songs with lyrics that match a curricular unit of study
 * making classroom news reports
 * rapping vocabulary like [|Flocabulary]
 * using an LCD projector to demonstrate the shape of sound waves
 * recording a child's pronunciation by Speech and ESL teachers
 * singing or playing instruments in Music class

= = =Materials= Audacity Microphone

=Audacity Quick Directions=
 * 1) Connect your microphone to your computer.
 * 2) Open Audacity (located in the multimedia folder on the application launcher for FCPS)
 * 3) Check your monitor to be sure the microphone is picking up sound. (See picture below)
 * 4) Press the "**Record**" button. Read into the microphone.
 * 5) Press the "**Stop**" button.
 * 6) Go to File then "**Save Project**" button or click **Save Project As** . . . to save your Audacity file.



=Save as Mp3= Audacity files end in .aup. These .aup files can only be opened and listened to in Audacity. To change the file into a format to be used more universally, you must change it into a Mp3 file.
 * 1) Go to **File>Export as Mp3**.
 * 2) Navigate to the folder where you want to save the file. (Example: your desktop)
 * 3) Name your file. (Example: Student's last name and the current quarter. JonesQuarter1)
 * 4) Click **Save**.

=LAME encoder= At this time, you MAY be prompted to find the LAME encoder. If you receive this message on the screen, click "Yes" to locate the LAME encoder.
 * 1) Navigate to the I:drive. (APPS folder in FCPS)
 * 2) Click "LAME" folder.
 * 3) Click the green and yellow icon that is called lame_enc.dll [[image:lame_encoder_pic.gif]]
 * 4) Complete all of the fields in the window that appears.
 * 5) Your file will now be saved as an Mp3.
 * 6) Double click on file to Open in Windows Media Player.

=Sounds and Music=
 * Discovery Streaming and search for songs or sound effects
 * [|Freeplay Music] **(One of my favorite sites!)**
 * [|Sound Snap]
 * [|Partners in Rhyme]
 * [|Royalty Free Music]

=Special Effects= Use the Effect menu in Audacity to create various sound effects. Your students can sound dramatically different and take on a character. This is very motivating for creative writing. The skill level required for these effects vary. Highlight your vocal track and then [|follow these instructions to generate effects to morph your voice] such as:
 * robot
 * chipmunk
 * telephone operator
 * concert hall
 * talking on radio

=Resources= (detailed) [|Audacity online tutorial] [|Audacity wiki] Screenshots to walk you through the process (very easy to follow) Other links: [|www.delicious.com/aimeem/audacity]