Desire2Learn 8.3

Best Practices for Using Audio in D2L

When creating audio for use in Desire2Learn, there are practices and advice you can take into consideration that will make the process smoother and of a better quality.

Overview
Where Can Audio Files Be Applied in D2L?
Best Practices
Incorporating Audio Feedback

Overview

Audio files can be used in the online classroom to provide supplemental instructional material, explain complicated charts and graphs, or provide audio responses to assignments, questions, etc. A common use of audio files is in an introduction created by instructors to identify themselves and help humanize their courses. Audio can also be useful for explaining a complicated visual concept. Auditory material may be especially useful in courses where hearing what a professional presentation sounds like is relevant – a communications class or any class where the students themselves will have to present. These types of audio files are often referred to as podcasts.

The simplest Audio files you might use can be recorded right in Microsoft Word to provide feedback within student assignments submitted as Word documents, similar to the use of the Track Changes or Insert Comments features. The other files you might want to make (introductions, explanations, presentations) will likely require a program such as Audacity (free and easy to use!)

Advantages

Audio addresses different learning styles. Using audio is especially beneficial for auditory learners.
Audio helps to reduce an overload in the visual channel of the brain by allowing all learners a break from text.
Audio files can also add character and personality to your course.

Considerations

Learners with hearing disabilities may not be able to hear Audio files.
If you are using Insert Voice feedback in Word, you will need to be aware of any hearing impaired students in your course. Asking at the beginning of the term will let you know not to leave audio feedback on homework assignments for that student. Other audio files must be accompanied by a transcript IF the information isn't already posted in the course in some place such as the Syllabus or Instructor Biography. This is essential for compliance with accessibility laws under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Size does matter! Smaller is better. Large files can cause downloading and streaming capability issues for students. (Don't load anything larger than 10 MB into D2L!)

Where Can Audio Files Be Applied in D2L?

News

As an instructor you can record a brief overview of the course for your students to access when they first enter the course to acquaint them with both you and the course. (no transcript required if duplicate information is available in course syllabus)

Content

Complex visuals could be accompanied by an audio file explaining the concept. (transcript required)
An audio file could accompany unit overviews or as a recap for a unit. (transcript may be required)
Files can be embedded in an HTML document or posted as a direct link in Content.

Dropbox

Audio files can be recorded by instructors as feedback in Microsoft Word's Insert Voice feature.
Students can download free audio recording software (Audacity) and create MP3 files to submit to dropbox as an assignment.

Discussions

Students can download free audio recording software (Audacity) and create MP3 files to submit to discussions as an assignment. If submitted through Discussions it can be shared with classmates. (need to consider accessibility if any hearing impaired students in course)

Course Home Page Widget

Custom widgets can be created and added to the Course Home page featuring audio files. (transcript may be required)

Best Practices

Write a script or plan what you intend to say As indicated above, most audio files will need an accompanying transcript. This however, can be an advantage: having a script prepared will make your recording sound more professional and polished and give you the chance to practice prior to recording. Of course, you don't want to sound as if you are directly reading from a script, so practicing ahead of time will help you to sound more fluid and less mechanical. If your recording doesn't require a transcript (i.e. you are recording your biography which is already posted in the course or you are recording feedback for an individual in their Word document), it's best to have a plan for what you will say prior to hitting the record button.

Provide clear audio We have all dealt with those phone messages that sound very important but are indecipherable either because the person spoke too softly or too quickly. Be sure to speak clearly and slowly when recording. Enunciate—your students will appreciate the extra effort. Also make sure you are recording in a place with minimal background noise and where you won’t be interrupted. The built-in microphones in most computers, both laptop and desktop, generally do not give clear results, so be sure to use the microphones we will provide!

Keep it short There is no magic number of minutes under which you must keep your recording time. However, attention spans will wane if an audio file is too long. Sometimes 2-5 minutes will be appropriate, other times 10-15 minutes may be more appropriate. If you are providing feedback in a Word document, you will be limited to one minute per recording, and several recordings within one document could increase the file size quite a bit. Plan accordingly and be mindful of the final file size. If you are unsure of how long your recording should be, test it out, and listen to it—make sure every word is relevant. You can always cut down your script and do a second recording.

Incorporating Audio Feedback

To insert audio feedback in word assignments,

Open the desired Microsoft Word 2007 document
On the Office Button pull-down menu, click WORD OPTIONS
The Word Options dialog box appears.
Click CUSTOMIZE
On the Choose commands from pull-down menu, select All Commands
Scroll to and click INSERT VOICE
Click ADD
The command is added to the Quick Access Toolbar.
Click OK
The command now appears on the Quick Access toolbar in the document.
Click INSERT VOICE
The Create Package dialog box appears.
Click BROWSE...
The Browse dialog box appears.
Navigate to and select the desired audio file
Click OPEN
Click NEXT
Type the desired label
Click FINISH
The audio file is inserted into your document.