Audacity

Last class, we learned about a new podcast, called Audacity. I actually really enjoy this software, and think that it is very user-friendly. You have to download the software along with LAME, but it's a pretty simple download. When you get into Audacity and make a project, the interface allows for you to record, then to play it back after you are finished. It takes a little fiddling around with when you want to export your project and send to someone, but after trial-and-error it was pretty easy to figure out. After you are done with your project, you export it, change it to an MP3 file, and connect it to LAME. LAME is on the Audacity website under downloads.

Here is a description and "map" of all the features that are on Audacity.

I think that podcasts are great to have students create in the language classroom.  With up to 34 kids in each class, having each student speak every single class can sometimes seem unrealistic. With group work activities and assignments that include podcasts, such as Audacity, students are held accountable to speak in the target language and get the practice and linguistic "exercise" that they need to progress in their learning of the target language.

I would definitely use Audacity in my classroom, but would be a bit hesitant because everyone may not have the software that is needed to create a podcast.  If I were to use Audacity, I would assign students to answer a "question" and have them give a 30 second to 1 minute response for homework. I think that this would be great practice for speaking and intonation of the target language. It would also work well for students who are more shy in class, who can work on this activity at home.