For this assignment, I decided to create an audio file for a center activity. I thought about creating a digital story, but since we just recently created a video and I have never done a recording like this, I decided to try something new that I can hopefully use in my classroom for future activities.
For this center, my students will be working on a ‘Listen and Draw’ page. For these activities, students are given a page with one object in the middle and the teacher reads directions one at a time to add on to the picture. I will attach the one that I recorded directions for. I normally do these activities in a whole group setting because it is the easiest way for it to get done. With this audio recording, I can leave the papers at one of my center stations and have a device there to play the recording. This way, students can complete the activity in pairs, small groups or even individually. This will give me more time to work with small groups uninterrupted. This will also help with cutting down on down time because everything is already out for students before they begin. They just have to sit down and get started.
I used the Windows Voice Recorder app that was already installed on my computer. It was very easy to use. All you have to do is press play to record and stop once you are finished. I did not really encounter any problems creating the audio file for this lesson. It is something very simple that I haven’t used before but will definitely continue to use. I am thinking about recording all of my center instructions for my students so that I can focus on my small groups and they will have something to follow without having to read or find a friend to read to them! I did however encounter a major problem trying to upload it to this blog. I didn’t realize that you can’t upload audio files with a free WordPress site. When I tried to upload the file into an audio block, it said I needed to upgrade to the premium plan in order to do so. Luckily, I will not need to do this in my classroom. I will be able to use my files as they are.
You can listen to my recording here!
Adrian's Blog 
Hi Adrian!
I really loved the audio file activity you created. It was so creative and I think it is a really good way to use this technology. I am in secondary education so I am unsure if I would be able to use it in the same way but it does get me thinking. This sort of audio file explaining the assignment could be used for students who are sick or have to miss class for some reason. With the help of Google Drive, the students could access the worksheets needed and the audio they need to complete assignments. Excellent job on this project, I love what you did and I love that even though you are elementary ed and I am secondary ed that we can still teach each other things even though our focuses are different. (:
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Thanks! I’m glad to give you an idea that you can modify to fit your students’ needs. It’s nice to see how different grade levels do things because it can give you some insight on how you can do those things with your students despite them being on totally different levels!
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Hi Adrian! I love your idea of incorporating audio files into centers. Audio recordings are especially beneficial for students with attention difficulties. They are able to repay the directions as many times as they like without interrupting valuable instruction time. Awesome idea and I can’t wait to use it in my own classroom!
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The thought of not having to stop my small group lessons to explain something is honestly a dream come true! I also can’t wait to implement this in my classroom!
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Adrian,
This is genius! Something so simple that I probably would not have thought of! I swear, I hate having to stop my small groups to answer a question a student has about a center. Usually, I make them wait, but sometimes I do need to stop what I am doing to show them something. I think if I started doing this, that would alleviate some of the distractions. I also did an audio recording for the assignment. However, I did mine reading a poem to my students that they could use in a center or listen to throughout the week. Love this idea! Thank you for sharing.
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I’ve done everything from make my students wait, to having a ‘secretary’ who handles all questions, comments and concerns during centers but I feel like this will almost eliminate the need for my secretary because it will be like I am there to read directions over and over again if necessary!
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