Sounds Like a Good Idea: Using Audio Technology in the Classroom

There is a need to motivate and in some cases re-engage students who feel that the classroom of 2007 means nothing to them - it does not speak in their language or culture, or communicate to them in a way that seems natural. They are the mp3, mobile phone generation, used to bits of on-demand information. Equally, they are lacking in the speaking and listening skills vital for future economic life; the skills so long regarded as 'soft skills' that form the basis of any job interview. This book gives practical advice to teachers on how to use audio in the classroom across the curriculum and put audio as used today into context. Anyone can record audio - it's how you do it that transforms ordinary into extraordinary.   The author draws on his own experience with classroom trials from the UK and China, as well as case studies and contributions from academics, consultants and broadcasters.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by David Sleight, University of Lincoln Preface - One solution for the 21st century classroom Acknowledgements Introduction - Using audio to engage students Part 1 - Recording, editing and basic mixing techniques 1 Putting audio into context 2 Basic recording techniques 3 How to edit and mix audio 4 The interview: How to construct interviews to extend learning Part 2 - Incorporating audio into your lessons 5 Lesson Ideas: how to use audio across the curriculum 6 Schemes of Work and Worksheets Part 3 - Case studies Introduction to the case studies 1 What equipment to buy and what not to buy: Peter Knowles case study 2 Using radio to inspire and re-engage students: Guy Starkey case study 3 Teachers like practical ideas: Jan Robertson case study 4 An audio liaison project between primary and secondary schools: Laura Coppin case study 5 Audio as a means of developing interpersonal skills: John West-Burnham case study 6 The school FM radio station: Heat Rays 87.8 FM case study 7 Audio by email from the UK to the USA: Diane Lewis case study 8 Audio by young people, for young people: The Leicester experience case study 9 Using sound to capture the story: Mike Kinnaird case study Epilogue Index

About the Author :
Mike teaches audio/media studies in an 11 to 18 school and is a part time lecturer at a university. He provides audio materials to the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and has advised the trust on the use of audio to create international networks. He is currently advising the London Centre for Leadership in Learning, and is a member of Skillset East Midlands Education Focus Group.Previously, he was a staff producer at the BBC for almost 15 years. He continues to present and produce programming for BBC Local Radio, and has contributed to most BBC local stations and the networks, including Today, World at One, World this Weekend, Radio 4, Newsbeat, Radio One, Drivetime and Five Live. Mike is online at http://mikekinnaird.podomatic.com/

Review :
"This book is an accessible guide  and a powerful tool for teachers to include in their 21st century toolkit" Education Today, 1 Nov 2008