technology tips

Using Audacity


Audacity is a free and open source audio recorder and editor. Audio recording can be used to capture class songs and poems, storytelling or reading, student thinking, and self assessment.

Audacity is a free and open source audio recorder and editor. 

Audacity can be downloaded at:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/audacity/       

Audio recording can be used to capture class songs and poems, storytelling or reading, student thinking, and self assessment.          

 

1. The basic playback and recording features are similar to other audio systems, as you can see in the image below.  You can record and pause if necessary.  Press the pause button again to continue recording.  When you are done, press stop.  You may listen to the recording by pressing play.  

 

2a. When you are ready to save, click File and choose Export (yellow arrow).  Recent versions may say Export Audio.

2b. Do not try to save using 'Save Project" or "Save Project As".  This will prevent the audio clip from being able to be shared with others.  However, if you forget, you will see this reminder pop-up:

 

3. When saving the exported file, you will notice it automatically saves as a WAV file (yellow arrow) which can be viewed by others.   Select the location to save the recording in (green arrow) and name the file (red arrow), using the child’s initials or project name.  Then click Save.

 

4. A window will pop up allowing you to add Metadata (by using the arrow keys) but you may choose to leave it blank and click OK.   Your file will now be ready.  

                             

5. When you exit Audacity it will ask you if you want to save changes before closing.  Select No.  You already saved your file by Exporting it.  This is only necessary if you were planning on saving an Audacity project (see 2b above).

 

To keep your recordings organized and easy to find, may we suggest that you create a folder in your pre-existing music file. 

 

When choosing the location to save to (see step 3, green arrow), select Music by using the drop down arrow.  Next click on the "New Folder" icon to the right.

 

You will now be able to name the new folder (ex. Class Recordings).  Use this new folder to save all the work your students produce.  Everything can now be found in that folder. 

When sending an audio clip to parents via email, simply attach the file by selecting it from your Class Recording folder, found inside your Music folder.