Service Learning

Trying to figure out the best way to insert audio was an interesting process. I did use Audacity, saving my files as .wav files. I then had to convert. I used Itunes to make them into Mp3 format. Once I had that format, I was able to upload them into an online storage site. I know there are some free ones out there, but quite frankly, I’m getting tired of having a bunch of stuff added to my computer. So I did pay for this one figuring I will have to use it for the rest of my program. I used HDDweb.com. This enabled me to get the URL and the codes I needed to add to blogger.com. With some manipulation I was able to add an audio bar and play on command.

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Service Learning Video

Here is a video edit I did of a service learning project that a middle school is involved in. It is unique in that the students are the ones teaching the teachers about technology. It is a great way to infuse technology into classrooms and make it assessable to both students and teachers. By putting students in charge of the teaching, it gives them the opportunity to show how savvy they are with the current technology and guide their teachers through the sometimes daunting task of learning the skills needed to keep up with new advances. It is a great way to begin a service learning project within the school site your at to advance the skills of educators and give students an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and aptitude for technology.

Regarding the editing process in making this clip – I began with Windows Movie Maker, which proved to become very unstable on my computer. After much research, I found that many other people had had similar experiences. System restores, and installations of service packs seemed like the only answer. Unfortunately for myself, none of these answers proved to be a long term solution to preventing the program from continually crashing. I ended up purchasing Pinnacle, a movie maker program that included a converter for mpeg3 and mpeg4, avi, along with a bunch of others. The programs basic features were very easy to use. I still have some feature to figure out, but overall I’m very satisfied with the program.

Using Audacity

Working with Audacity for the first time was a new learning experience. My temperament is to dive in, create something to have a starting point; once I do that, I keep trying different features to see what the different commands do. I make sure to make a copy of the original so I can keep going back to it.

My first try was with three tracks: intro music, voice recording, ending music. Since I was in the lab, I was only able to play the music through my computer and have my built in microphone pick up the sound. This meant that I had to have two windows open, Audacity, and Mediaplayer or idtunes, it didn’t matter where the music was coming from at this point. Doing it this way is not recommended as the quality is very poor. For my final recordings, I plan on recording directly into Audacity by some other means.

If you fail to align your recording before you record them, or want to make changes in the order of them, I found two ways to align your recordings. First, place your curser at the end of you last recording before you begin your next. Second, place your curser on the track position where you desire it. Go to menu, select project, then align track, align with cursor. The track will move to the new position.