Audio

When creating your own audio, keep in mind the following:

• Time: How much time do you have and how long do you want your audio content to be? Begin with a script of what you will say and rehearse your content to determine the length.  
• Resources: Do you have access to an audio editor (like Audacity or Adobe Audition) and a good microphone? Can you use your mobile phone, or do you have an audio recorder? Do you have a quiet space to record? 
• Skills: Do you know how to create, edit and share an audio file from programs like Audacity, or Adobe Audition? Do you know how to hook up and test your microphone, or how to record on your mobile phone? 

See the "Where Can I Learn More?" section at the bottom of this page for ways to access assistance or build your skills.

Recorded audio can be used:  

• As a study aid to assist students in reviewing after the lecture
• To enable students to review the lecture in preparation for discussion and debate
• On an ongoing basis as a reference for students
• To free up class time for discussion. Making recorded lectures available before class meetings makes more time available for discussion and hands-on activities.

https://ccnmtl.columbia.edu/enhanced/primers/audio_as_teaching_tool.html 

Tips:

• As with all external online content, links can change or break if audio files are relocated or removed. Before each iteration of the course, you should review your Canvas course and fix any broken links.
• For optional or supplementary podcasts, either set your links to open in a new window so the visual cueing (indicating an external link) on the Canvas content pages is consistent, or make sure they are clearly labelled as optional.
• Including a short introductory summary can help orient learners to the content.
• Provide transcripts whenever possible and practical and follow good Universal Design for Learning practice.  

Audio Tips & Tricks

Be sure to select audio files that:

• Have high quality sound and allow for volume adjustment, playback, speed variation, and pausing
• Are short in duration as this helps to maintain student engagement; or for longer podcasts/videos, focus in on the most valuable parts, and include timestamps identifying the information to which students need to listen
  
• Align to the course/module goals and assessments
• Are entertaining and easily listened to

The most common software for editing and recording audio are listed below:

• Adobe Audition (SFU-supported)
• Audacity (free):  http://www.audacityteam.org/download/ 
• Zoom (SFU-supported) (recording only)

The following platform can be used for recording and/or hosting/streaming:

• Mediasite (SFU-supported)
• Soundcloud

All SFU students, faculty, and staff have access to LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) tutorials. Access is mediated via the SFU Library. To set up your access, visit this page.

• For an introduction to Adobe Audition, access the LIL course here.
• For an introduction to Audacity, access the LIL course here. 
• For a general overview of podcast production, access the LIL course here.

When you use audio created by others, please note that it is likely protected by copyright. You may be able to use it if it falls under fair dealing or an educational exception (see the Copyright for instructors at SFU. In cases where copying is not covered by fair dealing or an educational exception, or where the terms of use explicitly prohibit the copying, you will have to obtain permission to copy material. You can contact the SFU Copyright Office for assistance.

It’s important to attribute the creators correctly. It models a fundamental part of digital literacy for students when work is cited and information such the creator’s name, links to sources material and copyright licence are included. BCcampus’s Self-publishing Guide provides examples and recommendations on Embedding and Linking different types of media.

Accessibility and inclusion initiatives are sometimes misunderstood as special accommodations only benefitting historically marginalized students, such as; persons with hearing, visual, physical or cognitive challenges or disabilities, gender non-conforming or persons from racial, ethnic or cultural minority groups. Just as the use of closed captions benefits all students, not just those who are deaf or hard of hearing, addressing accessibility and inclusion from the onset of course design is the best way to be responsive to the needs of all learners. These initiatives can ensure equal opportunities for successful learning.   

Adding music and/or sound effects can enhance your video or audio recordings. Here are some resources for royalty-free and Creative Commons audio works.

• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Audio_files
• https://archive.org/details/audio
• Incompetech (some music here is not royalty free; all songs require attribution):  https://incompetech.com/music/
  
• Free Music Archive FAQ: http://freemusicarchive.org/faqTo download music from Free Music Archive: http://freemusicarchive.org
• CCMixter (Creative Commons – attribution)
• Epidemic – https://www.epidemicsound.com
  
• Buffer – https://buffer.com/library/background-music-video
  
• Beatpick – http://www.beatpick.com
  
• Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com
• Free Sound (requires registration/login to be created, includes music and sound effects): http://freesound.org
• Sound Bible (includes music and sound effects): http://soundbible.com