Using MP3 Files in the Classroom

cc licensed flickr photo shared by Judy Baxter

Need to know more about using mp3 files in the classroom? Then, tune in for what promises to be a very interesting webinar this Tuesday 22nd September 2009 (5pm to 7pm GMT).

Sean Banville will be speaking on "The use of MP3 files in the classroom - as a management and pedagogical tool"

There is no doubt that the advent of mp3 technology has opened up a wealth of opportunities for teachers to create purposeful recordings and exploit listening in the classroom. During his presentation Sean will demonstrate how he uses mp3 files for a range of purposes, from classroom management and games to providing student feedback and school news.

Sean administers several very useful sites including:
* Breaking News English
* News English Lessons
* ESL Discussions

Webinar Details:
Date: Tuesday 22nd September 2009
Time: 5pm-7pm GMT
Link: Connect via: http://breeze.lpm.uni-sb.de/mp3/
All you need to participate is a headset (no standalone microphones, please and no loudspeakers)! Sound checks should to be made during the 30 minutes before the start of the meeting.

Feel free to join in on the day or confirm your participation by contacting the host Jürgen Wagner by sending an email to JWagnerATlpm.uni-sbDOTde

Update 23/9/09
Link to the full Webinar Recording

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Create your own Music with JamStudio

JamStudio is a great flash based website that allows you to easily create music.

With JamStudio you can script and construct your own song using chords and then mix in different instruments (guitars, drums, bass, etc.) - all done with simple clicks. There are several versions and styles to choose from for each instrument depending on the mood that you want to set.

JamStudio is a nice tool to use for creating your own backing tracks for slideshows etc.

I've added a little sample snippet below which includes a mellow guitar, sit back drums and bubba base!

Sample mp3

Thanks to CMIS where I first came across JamStudio.

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Technorati Tags: jamstudio, music,

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Downloading Videos with RealPlayer

Downloading videos from the web couldn't be easier with RealPlayer11.

The NEW RealPlayer gives you "the power to download Internet video instantly" by simply grabbing videos from Web sites with just one click.

The downloaded videos are automatically saved to the RealPlayer11 library so that you can easily watch them whenever you want.

As you hover over the video with your mouse the 'Download This Video' option immediately pops up as shown in this clip here.

RealPlayer11 is meant to be able to play "all major audio and video formats" - although I have not tested it with the main open source formats yet!

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Technorati Tags: audio, real player, video

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Join in Interactive Discussions with TalkShoe

Just completed my first TalkShoe session yesterday, with Mike Temple, and was impressed with this new Web 2.0 tool. Essentially, TalkShoe is a "service that enables anyone to easily create, join, or listen to live interactive discussions, conversations, podcasts and audioblogs".

The recorded calls are available immediately after recording stops and can be listened to, downloaded, or subscribed to.

Once you have registered you can start listening in on any of the live calls straight away. But, in order to join in the conversation you first need to install the TalkShoe software. Once this is done, you can easily join in the conversation by using your computer (microphone and speakers) or your phone.

It seems like a very easy way to introduce students to podcasting, since all the technical stuff is done behind the scenes! For the more advanced students, the resulting podcast can be downloaded and edited in Audacity. I think TalkShoe also has great potential for use with language classes and will also appeal to any budding talk show hosts!

At present there are over 300 shows listed in education and over 650 in technology. Something for everyone?

Mike will be broadcasting again next Saturday evening at 8pm GMT (3pm EST, 12midday PST and Sunday 7am down under in Melbourne!!) with a view to discussing the edublogs platform and web 2.0 tools. Everyone is welcome to join in. :)

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Technorati Tags: edublogs, itunes, podcast, talkshoe, web2.0

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VLC- Media Player for the Future

VLC media player is a highly portable, cross-platform multimedia player that supports a large number of audio and video formats (mpeg1, mpeg2, mpeg4, vorbis, divX, mp3, wmv, wma, avi, ogg, ogm, wav, flv).

VLC can also be used to play DVDs and VCDs. VLC is very useful for playing open standard formats, such as ogg, which many current media players cannot handle.

In addition, VLC can be used to view free streaming television and radio (via Shoutcast TV). There are lots of channels to choose from including a wide range of Christmas stations! To see how the streaming is set up, just watch this video from Jimmyr.

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Technorati Tags: audio, media player, ogg, video, vlc

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Convert your Text Files into Speech

Spoken Text (found via Stephen Downes) lets you create speech files from ordinary text files. The recordings can be created from plain text files, Acrobat PDF, Word files, PowerPoint files, emails, web pages or text entered directly. File upload size is restricted to 981KB so large files must be split and recorded separately.

At present two voices are available - Dave (high quality) and Bob (low quality). Spoken Text is currently working on providing a female voice option. The final recording is made available at Spoken Text for seven days. You can, however, download your own copy of the file in MP3 or m4b (iPod) format.

There is quite a difference between the quality of Bob and Dave as you can judge from the two snippets below (taken from a recording of a four page PDF file). The Dave recording used the default speed of 170wpm.

Here's Bob.......

Here's Dave........

Also came across vozMe (thanks to Judy O'Connell). In vozMe, you simply type in the text (or copy and paste) and select the 'Create mp3' button. You can then download the resulting mp3 file to your computer!

vozMe also enables you to add voice to your website through the use of plugins and scripting.

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Technorati Tags: email, ipod, mp3, pdf, powerpoint, spoken text, vozme

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Multimedia Masterpiece

Visiting Ashes and Snow is a captivating experience. This site demonstrates all that is good about multimedia.

Ashes and Snow combines compelling text, pictures, music, narration, video and flexible navigation to provide a truly memorable and individual experience. When visiting the site make sure you choose the "Enhanced Experience" option.

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Technorati Tags: ashes and snow, multimedia

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Online Goodies(10) - Voicethread

Voicethread is essentially an online collaboration tool.  Simply upload your image, presentation or video and get the conversation going!! With the free account you can create a maximum of three different Voicethreads.

Voicethreads can be private or public.  You decide who to share them with - either 1 person, several people or the whole world.  When the voicethread is public, you can allow or restrict new comments. You can also choose to turn on comment moderation, which means that you can decide whether to show added comments or not.

The example below shows how the Voicethread can also be used as an instruction tool. This one covers posting a podcast on the Ning social network.



Educators can now apply for the PRO account for free!

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Technorati Tags: collaboration, image, ning, podcast, video, voicethread

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Professionally Produced Music Videos

The Phoenix Park as you have never seen it before!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Animoto is an interesting Web2.0 application that creates professional music videos. Simply add your photos and choice of music and let Animoto do the rest. The Animoto short film (30seconds) is free, with a full length video costing $3. Producing unlimited full length videos for one year costs $30.

Animoto could be very useful for producing promotional type material!

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Technorati Tags: animoto, office2.0, video, web2.0

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