3.3 Audio Communication
As it's name denotes, podcasts are meant to be broadcasted to many people. By design they are a one-to-many communication tool. In contrast, audio can also be used for one-to-one communication. This is nothing new and is as old as the telephone itself. Compared to podcasts, audio communication is more impromptu, spontaneous, and personalized. On this page, we will discuss the use of synchronous and asynchronous audio communication.
Synchronous Audio Communication
Phone calls are perhaps the most underused technology technology in online courses. Research has found that online students prefer to communicate using text. However, many issues can be resolved when online teachers have a short phone call with a student, as explained in the video to the right.
Asynchronous Audio Communication
Phone calls can be difficult to schedule with students and there is no record of conversation that students can refer back to. It can also be easier for teachers to record than it is for them to type detailed comments. In the video the right one instructor explains how to he uses http://vocaroo.com/ to record student feedback.
Tools for Audio Communication and Recording
There are several single function website that allows you make recordings. When you're finished it gives you a link to share with others. The websites don't require an account so students can easy make recordings. The following are two example websites.
There are also software that programs that you can use off-line such as QuickTime (Mac).
Audio Editing Tools
There are some free options for creating and editing audio.
- Audacity is the most popular free audio editing tool because it works across platforms and has robust features.
- GarageBand is probably more user friendly than Audacity but does not work on a PC. If you own a Mac, you probably already know how to use it on your computer.
Move onto 3.4 when you have completed the artifacts in this section.