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| Reviewed: |
Jun 28, 2011 by Teacher Education |
| Overview: |
Audioboo, a mobile and web platform, is a free, simple, social networking way of recording short audio clips and publishing them to a personal AudioBoo page for sharing. Users can add useful data to the recordings, such as photos, tags and location to share with colleagues, friends, family, or the world. You can also send private messages to people through their profiles. The Audioboo blog provides access to a range of categories of "boo" postings and archives. All audio is available as a podcast feed. |
| Learning Goals: |
The Audioboo Team, located in London, UK, believes the spoken word audio has been left behind in the current explosion of online innovation. They "aim to become the platform of choice for anyone wanting to record, upload, archive and share audio across multiple devices."
Learning goals will be determined by the person producing the audio. |
| Target Student Population: |
Users over the age of 13 should be able to establish accounts. Students under 13 could access web links to content but would not be able to establish an account to create their own recordings. |
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
Users will need to know how to adjust the audio settings on their computing device to maximize the quality of recordings. Internet connection is required. |
| Type of Material: |
Audioboo is a cloud-based content production tool. Teachers and students can share audio files that can be played back by others who have access to the Internet. |
| Recommended Uses: |
Audioboo can be used in a variety ways such as: record key bits of information, record examples of written work, make a quick and free podcast, make audio notes for any written work you might do, enhance your blog or web site, and share your voice with others.
Audioboo is a great tool for sharing general comments with a group of students. Students can use it to share an audio-version of written work. Private messaging is possible so Audioboo can be used to share individual feedback with students. |
| Technical Requirements: |
Students and teachers who are creating the audio files will need access to the Internet through a web browser or mobile device (Apple or Android). A microphone will be required to record sound. Speakers will be necessary on the device playing back the sound. Those producing audio files should include a transcript of their recording for hearing-impaired viewers of the content. |
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| Strengths: |
Audioboo models efficient and easy audio recording (up to five minutes) and posting. The recordings can be public or private, depending on the intended use. Recordings can be made "on the spot" or pre-recorded audio can be uploaded. This is certainly a strength for educators who need to prepare and sequence information. Images and an actual map showing geographical location can be attached to "boos." Since this is a social networking tool, any curriculum at any age level can be addressed. No particular prerequisite knowledge is required. However, content specific information that is to be recorded should be considered and organized in advance. |
| Concerns: |
None. |
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
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| Strengths: |
Audioboo can be used successfully by both teachers and students to generate audio content. Recordings are limited to five minutes so users should carefully plan out what will be said. Audio feedback from a teacher may be an appreciated change of pace for students.
Audioboo allows the user to quickly develop audio recordings that can published and shared. Like Twitter, users can actually "follow" other Audiobbo users. This process allows for selective focus on the "boos" that match or support the learning and instruction that is needed or being delivered. The teaching potential for educators would include these possibilities: provide student feedback, give impromptu interviews, present radio shows (up to 5 min.), report information, storytelling, record key bits of information, record examples of written work, make quick and free podcasts, make audio notes for any written work, enhance personal blogs or web sites, and share personal voice characteristics (tone, ennunciation, dramatic interpretations, etc.) with others. |
| Concerns: |
Recordings can not be edited so users may need to re-record until a satisfactory audio file has been created. Those with more experience can use another program to record and edit audio and then use Audioboo to share the file. |
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
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| Strengths: |
Audioboo is easy to use. Buttons are clearly marked and recorders can see when five minutes is almost up. Audio levels can be seen on the screen, helping users know if the audio is too quiet or peeking. Users can preview a recording when finished. They can quickly start over if a mistake is made. If satisfactory, a title, tags, and an image can be added. The file can be quickly published and shared with others without any technical knowledge.
Audioboo's website is easy to navigate and understand. You can browse all "boos," review "boos," presented by categories under Channels, update your profile, develop a profile for yourself, maintain your settings (password, email, etc.), review "boo" messages sent and received, and seek Audioboo support should you need it. Audioboo support includes a discussion board, a knowledge base, and specific contacts for support staff. Users can link to Twitter, Facebook, Posterous, Tumblr or Friendfeed and they can also subscribe to others' "boos" via iTunes. Audioboo has also provided developers with rich access via their API to both query and manipulate users' audio and meta-data. |
| Concerns: |
Audioboo should include a simple step asking users to upload a transcript to accommodate hearing-impaired viewers of the content. |
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