Audacity


 * Audacity**

Description: Audacity is a free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems.

Publisher/Manufacturer: Audacity was started in the fall of 1999 by Dominic Mazzoni while he was a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. He was working on a research project with his advisor, Professor Roger Dannenberg, and they needed a tool that would let them visualize audio analysis algorithms. Over time, this program developed into a general audio editor, and other people started helping out. [|More Info]

Link: [|Audacity]

Pricing information: Free

Application to the classroom


 * NETS*S**
 * **Creativity and Innovation** || Audacity can used to create audio podcasts that broadcast classroom discussions and ideas.

Students can create their own fictional stories and create a podcast for the other students to hear. This could be used as a listening center. It may also help to eliminate the anxiety that some students feel when asked to speak in front of a group. || Students can use Audacity as their audio medium to import into Movie Maker video or similar program. ||
 * **Communication and Collaboration** || Students can help one another understand academic content by working together to create an audio which can be used as a podcast. This encourages the building of a positive classroom environment and supports a subject-centered classroom rather than a teacher-centered classroom. ||
 * **Research and Information Fluency** ||  ||
 * **Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making** || Using audicity,students can create speeches on how to solve various issues that they face today. A podcast of a debate on these issues can be created for the audience. ||
 * **Digital Citizenship** ||  ||
 * **Technology Operations and Concepts** || Students can use Audacity effectively and productively integrating its technological capabilities with academics.

**NETS*T**


 * **Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity** || Tremendous interest and motivation can be generated for some using audio recordings. ||
 * **Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Environments** || Integrating the use of podcasts with academics develops digital age learning experiences. ||
 * **Model Digital Age Work and Learning** || As all students learn differently, capturing lessons on audio for future reference by students enables the auditory learner to review lessons using an iPod or mp3 player. ||
 * **Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility** || Demonstrating and modeling the use of audio technology with academics, learners can develop a positive attitude toward using this technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity. ||
 * **Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership** ||  ||