Audio Labs on the Go

1
Audio Labs on the Go

• Greg Kessler
• Ohio University

2
Background

• Traditional use of audio lab at Ohio University
• LRC-In conjunction with computer labs/resources
• Shared (Ling, Modlang, OPIE)
• ALM - Textbook-based materials
• Testing

3
Background

• Sony 9000 (1998)
• Limited hours
• Limited resources
• Student discomfort
• Analog equipment
• Largely unused (in shift to communicative
  teaching)

4
Recent Alternative Developments

• Digital Video Server (isolated to building)
• Audio and Video
• Limited storage
• Never fully integrated (Partly due to analog lab)
• Streaming media server

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Recent Alternative Developments

• Digital laptop lab
• Audacity
• Skype
• iTunes
• Distributed use of digital materials
• Student produced video
• Teacher produced video
• Commercial materials

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Portable Audio/Video Material

• Online listening materials
• Streaming media server
• Class/activity podcasts
• External podcasts (ESL and Authentic)
• Teacher created materials
• Student created materials
• Commercial materials
• Cultural informants

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iTunes
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Leapfrogging to MP3 Players

• Audio/video materials easily transfer to new
  equipment (once digitized)
• Laptop lab continues alongside Sony 9000
  alongside ipod lab alongside computer lab
• Any students computer (or Mp3 player) serves as
  an equivalent to a traditional lab machine

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Mp3 File Exchange

• Shared server database for exchange/archiving of
  all audio files (iTunes library)
• Any time a user connects an mp3 player to any
  computer in our labs it synchronizes with the
  shared server library
• Online version allows ability to update library
  over the internet

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Hardware

• Class set of 25 iPods with iTalk microphones
• Optional
• Computer lab is used for initial orientation
• Server used for archiving/library use
• No dedicated space needed

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Why iPods

• OU language labs are Mac-centric
• Apple grant/academic pricing
• Simple operation
• Durable

12
Software

• Students/teachers use Audacity to record and
  respond to audio files
• Moodle course management system is used to
  support sustained communication related to
  exchanges
• iTunes is used on a server as the shared
  library of audio files

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Interaction
Published Materials Guest speakers Web-forum
Student-created Materials

• Student
• Teacher
• Teacher
• Created
• Materials
• Podcasts

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Interaction
Published Materials Guest speakers Web-forum
Student-created Materials

• Student
• Teacher
• Teacher
• Created
• Materials
• Podcasts

15
Implementation

• 2 ITA classes past two quarters
• 1 LNS class past two quarters
• 2 ITA classes last year
• 2 German classes past two quarters

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Preliminary Feedback

• Students find use easy (and feel they are likely
  to use materials more as a result)
• ITA students find flexibility (not having to
  cross campus to visit lab) helpful
• Exchange of files as digital files easier for
  both students and teachers
• No broken tapes
• No need to meet f2f to exchange (synchronizing or
  exchanging ipods can transfer hours of files)

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Ongoing Research

• Do students use this alternative more than
  traditional lab?
• Do they learn equally well using this
  alternative?
• Is there a qualitative difference in the work
  students do when working on these portable
  devices as opposed to the centralized audio lab?
• What are the implications of student-produced
  media?
• What does it take to bring faculty on board?

18
Thanks

• Ppt available at
• http//gregling.net/as2006