Using Digital Voice Recorders in the Classroom

1. Using Digital Voice Recorders in the Classroom By Heather Moll August 2009

2. Overview • What is a digital voice recorder? • How could this be used in an Elementary Music Classroom? • How could this be used in other classrooms? • Citations Page

3. What is a Digital Voice Recorder? • A digital voice recorder is a small, handheld device, which can record sound and transform it into a digital media which can be replayed, downloaded, and burned onto a CD. • There are many different types of recorders for many different applications.

4. Types of Digital Recorders • Reviewers say that the Olympus WS-210S is a very capable digital voice recorder for those on strict budgets. The 512 MB memory is not expandable and is small compared to some recorders, but that's still enough to hold more than 138 hours at the recorder's lowest-quality setting. (about $60) • The Olympus WS-331M sets itself apart from some other digital voice recorders because of its ability to double as an MP3 player, but voice recording is where this digital recorder really shines. This Olympus WS-331M can't accept additional memory cards, but its 2 GB of built-in storage accommodates nearly 36 hours of recording at the highest-quality stereo setting, and nearly 556 hours in its lowest-quality mono setting, which experts say is still quite usable. A built-in USB jack means you can plug the Olympus WS-331M right into a Mac or PC without a separate USB cable. This voice recorder is appropriate for personal note taking, but the audio quality is not suitable for podcasting or radio. (about $115)

5. Types of Digital Recorders (continued) • For anyone who wants a digital recorder capable of creating high fidelity audio recordings suitable for broadcast, radio or podcasts, the feature-packed Edirol R-09HR makes an excellent pick, reviewers say. The Edirol R-09HR records at a sampling rate of up to 96 kHz for the best sound quality and can save these recordings in WAV, MP3 or VBR formats. While the 512 MB of built-in flash memory is skimpy by current standards -- especially for recording high-quality audio -- there's a card slot for adding SD memory cards (up to 32 GB). (About $400) • The Sony ICD-MX20 is a professional-grade digital voice recorder that's especially recommended for those who do lots of dictation and transcription. It is optimized for use with Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech-to-text transcription software and earns that company's highest accuracy score. Among its other features, the Sony ICD-MX20 has more editing functions than you'll find on basic voice recorders. However, it records using proprietary file formats that must be converted before it can be used by other software, such as Windows Media Player, and the Sony player/conversion software is not compatible with Mac OS. At just 32 MB, the built-in memory is skimpy, but a slot for Memory Stick Pro duo flash memory is provided, and those are available in capacities of up to 16 GB ( About $200) (All of these reviews came from http://www.consumersearch.com/digital-voice-recorders)

6. Digital Recorders in the Elementary Music Classroom • There are many music GLEs that deal with singing in tune, matching pitches, composing, and performing. All of these are difficult to assess on the spot and they leave the parents with only a visual record of how their student has performed on an auditory assignment. Digital recorders can remedy this. A member on the MENC (Music Educators National Convention) forum outlined a way she uses digital recorders in her classroom to keep audio records on her students throughout the year. Below is a link to her conversation about this strategy on the MENC forum. • MENC Forum

7. Digital Recorders in the Elementary Music Classroom (continued) • I can also see some very practical daily uses for this recorder without the necessity of downloading information • Record the class singing a song and then play it back to practice critiquing our work • Record a rhythm section playing a blues sequence over and over again so the students can practice improvisation • Record a visiting concert or group for later critique by the students • Pre-record examples for a project the students will be starting. ( I could also save projects from previous years and put them onto my computer for use in future years)

8. Digital Recorders in other types of classrooms • The original article which inspired this inquiry was titled; Digital Voice Recorders Turn Students into Interviewers. The main idea of this article was to use these recorders to have students create educational podcasts and record classroom lessons to help assist learners who need more time, such as second language learners. The article link is at the bottom of this page. • Digital Recorders Turn Students Into Interviewers

9. Conclusion • Digital Recorders are a very versatile and cost-effective tool which I believe could be utilized in many different ways in many different classroom settings.

10. Citations • Ash, K (2009, July 13). Digital Voice Recorders Turn Students Into Interviewers. Retrieved August 10, 2009, from Education Week Web site: www.edu.edweek.org/dd/articles/2009/7/16/o4recorders.ho2.html? • (2009, January 8). MENC Forums. Retrieved August 10, 2009, from MENC Web site: www.menc.org/forums/viewtopic.php?id=1871 • (2009, May). Digital Voice Recorders: Reviews. Retrieved August 12, 2009, from Consumer Search Web site: www.consumersearch.com/digital-voice-recorders