Audacity and Youtube (video and audio)
Audacity and Youtube for pre-recorded Tanka Tanka Skunk
Tanka Tanka Skunk read at normal speed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0j67-f-1S4
Tanka Tanka Skunk read at fast speed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-huzn_Q3xs
What was it used for?
This book was to be enjoyed and used during music sessions once a week. The children thoroughly enjoyed the book but often their giggles induced mine and the rhythmic chant was often stopped half way through. This meant that the continuity of the story and rhythm were interupted. I used this book to teach the children about Pulse and Rhythm but found it difficult to maintain patting the pulse whilst I was speaking the words. With a pre-recording I was able to focus on the class and maintain the Pulse. I used this technique the second time I used the book and the improvements were twofold. The children were able to remain focussed, not distracted by my giggles, and they understood Pulse much more (as a Pulse is a constant and never stops). I used Audacity to record myself reading the book at the desired speed and then created a mini-movie using Windows Movie Maker. I then uploaded the video on to Youtube. The school I was working in could access Youtube meaning that this resource was available at all times (even when it wasn't a designated music lesson). It was simple and quick to create the audio file/movie and upload.
Pros
As mentioned above the children were engaged for the whole reading of the story.Freed from having to multi-task, I was able to maintain the Pulse and was able to assess the children.
It is now a resource readily available to not only myself but anybody who searches for it on Youtube.
It is really easy to upload videos onto Youtube.
I had never done this before and needed little instruction to complete the upload.
Children could upload their own performances of Tanka Tanka Skunk onto Youtube.
Cons
It took no longer than 30 minutes to put together the 2 videos, however that may be 30minutes that a teacher does not have.
Audacity has many different features which can begin to get complicated however it is simple to record a voice.
Could this be used in the future?
Certainly!! Having an alternative from a monotonous teacher's voice can engage the whole class. The novelty of something different would gain their interest and maintain their concentration.
On FPP I would like to experiment with recording different voices (probably my parents) to read an extract or present some information. Additionally I would like to record some of the children and try and create some videos with them.