Overview
Our brains absorb information in many, many different ways, where each of our senses offer a different interface to process information. In classrooms, this may be through text, video, interaction or any number of different mediums, but one channel that is often disregarded is audio. AudioBoom (formerly audioBoo) is a super simple tool that puts the focus back on the sense of sound by allowing students and teachers to record, playback, share and search audio online, providing a unique and in many cases more appropriate medium for learning.
Pricing: Free
Compatibility: Browser / iOS / Android / Windows
Access: Email signup
Privacy: Customizable (Privacy policy)
A Quick Look
In Practice
1. Your online audio library
While audioBoom does provide the opportunity to record and share your own audio, it is actually an excellent resource for sourcing premade audio. With a huge community of educators, professionals and media producers all contributing to the platform there is a massive collection of audio material for you to explore.
2. A text alternative
A lot of classroom time is given to writing but there are many different ways to document students’ thoughts, ideas and observations. Whether you are looking for an opportunity to try something different, have a task that lends itself well to audio or you have students with particular disabilities or learning difficulties, recording audio can be an extremely valuable alternative to writing.
3. Fluency – record and playback
A real benefit of having your students record audio is not so much that they can listen to each other, but so they can listen to themselves. This can be instrumental when working with younger students who are developing literacy and fluency skills. Try using the app version of audioBoom so students can speak and record more naturally using classroom devices rather than being seated at a computer.
4. Match your content to the medium
There are certain disciplines, subjects and topics that lend themselves well to audio. Record key phrases or difficult passages for students who are learning languages. Have your music students record themselves playing each week to highlight improvement and pinpoint areas of difficulty. Record class discussions for future analysis and breakdown.
5. Linking to the physical world with QR Codes
This is one of my favorite features of audioBoom. Each time a clip is recorded using the app or site, a unique QR code is generated that allows you to link the audio with any real world object. Print the QR code of a book reading and stick it to the the book cover for younger students to read along. Generate QR codes to build an audio scavenger hunt. Have students integrate QR codes into their own work, linking back to their own recordings.
Links and Next Steps
- audioBoom for Education – Educator resources and examples
- audioBoom Library – Browse all audioBoom channels and categories
- AudioBoom in the Classroom – Video (9 min)
- Using AudioBoom in the Classroom to Improve Reading Fluency
- 5 Ways to Use Audioboo in Your Classroom
- Audioboom Tutorial – Video (8 min)
- How to: add audio to a tour/gallery with QR codes
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, fontplaydotcom.