Better Late than Never – Instructify Finally Gets Around to Reviewing Audacity
May 20, 2008
Whether you’re creating a podcast or adding a voice over for a slide show, the list of free audio recorders begins and ends with Audacity. Audacity is an open source program that lets you record and edit audio quickly and easily. Just hook up a microphone to your computer, hit the record button, and start talking. When you’re done, you can edit out all the “uhs,” long pauses and bad jokes. Audacity displays a visual of the sound waves themselves, enabling you to make edits so precise you can shave the letter off a word. Save as a .WAV or .MP3 file and send your message to the masses (or, at least, your students).
In addition to podcasting, you could record classroom lectures for sick students. Your class might write and record a radio drama. The dance team could edit together a mix of songs for their next performance. If you teach an online class, your students might appreciate hearing their instructor’s voice in a setting that’s not a parent-teacher conference. The possible uses are endless, and like any good gadget, Audacity is fun enough that you’ll probably try to think of some.
We review a lot of software on Instructify, so believe me when I say you’ll have a hard time finding a free program as useful, versatile, and simple as Audacity. It’s been around forever, yet we haven’t officially reviewed it until now – I guess we must’ve taken it for granted. If your only exposure to audio recording and editing is Windows Sound Recorder, give Audacity a try. The upgrade might inspire you to start a podcast of your own. -BILL FERRIS
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