Using Digital Voice Using Digital Voice Recorders in the Recorders in the

ClassroomClassroomBy Heather MollBy Heather Moll

August 2009August 2009

OverviewOverview

What is a digital voice recorder?What is a digital voice recorder?How could this be used in an How could this be used in an

Elementary Music Classroom?Elementary Music Classroom?How could this be used in other How could this be used in other

classrooms?classrooms?Citations PageCitations Page

What is a Digital Voice What is a Digital Voice Recorder?Recorder?

A digital voice recorder is a small, A digital voice recorder is a small, handheld device, which can record handheld device, which can record sound and transform it into a digital sound and transform it into a digital media which can be replayed, media which can be replayed, downloaded, and burned onto a CD.downloaded, and burned onto a CD.

There are many different types of There are many different types of recorders for many different recorders for many different applications.applications.

Types of Digital RecordersTypes of Digital Recorders Reviewers say that the Olympus WS-210S is a very capable Reviewers say that the Olympus WS-210S is a very capable

digital voice recorder for those on strict budgets. The 512 MB digital voice recorder for those on strict budgets. The 512 MB memory is not expandable and is small compared to some memory is not expandable and is small compared to some recorders, but that's still enough to hold more than 138 hours recorders, but that's still enough to hold more than 138 hours at the recorder's lowest-quality setting. (about $60)at the recorder's lowest-quality setting. (about $60)

The Olympus WS-331M sets itself apart from some other The Olympus WS-331M sets itself apart from some other digital voice recorders because of its ability to double as an digital voice recorders because of its ability to double as an MP3 player, but voice recording is where this digital recorder MP3 player, but voice recording is where this digital recorder really shines. This Olympus WS-331M can't accept additional really shines. This Olympus WS-331M can't accept additional memory cards, but its 2 GB of built-in storage accommodates memory cards, but its 2 GB of built-in storage accommodates nearly 36 hours of recording at the highest-quality stereo nearly 36 hours of recording at the highest-quality stereo setting, and nearly 556 hours in its lowest-quality mono setting, and nearly 556 hours in its lowest-quality mono setting, which experts say is still quite usable. A built-in USB setting, which experts say is still quite usable. A built-in USB jack means you can plug the Olympus WS-331M right into a jack means you can plug the Olympus WS-331M right into a Mac or PC without a separate USB cable. This voice recorder is Mac or PC without a separate USB cable. This voice recorder is appropriate for personal note taking, but the audio quality is appropriate for personal note taking, but the audio quality is not suitable for podcasting or radio. (about $115)not suitable for podcasting or radio. (about $115)

Types of Digital Recorders Types of Digital Recorders (continued)(continued)

For anyone who wants a digital recorder capable of creating high For anyone who wants a digital recorder capable of creating high fidelity audio recordings suitable for broadcast, radio or podcasts, fidelity audio recordings suitable for broadcast, radio or podcasts, the feature-packed Edirol R-09HR makes an excellent pick, the feature-packed Edirol R-09HR makes an excellent pick, reviewers say. The Edirol R-09HR records at a sampling rate of up to reviewers say. The Edirol R-09HR records at a sampling rate of up to 96 kHz for the best sound quality and can save these recordings in 96 kHz for the best sound quality and can save these recordings in WAV, MP3 or VBR formats. While the 512 MB of built-in flash WAV, MP3 or VBR formats. While the 512 MB of built-in flash memory is skimpy by current standards -- especially for recording memory is skimpy by current standards -- especially for recording high-quality audio -- there's a card slot for adding SD memory cards high-quality audio -- there's a card slot for adding SD memory cards (up to 32 GB). (About $400)(up to 32 GB). (About $400)

The Sony ICD-MX20 is a professional-grade digital voice recorder The Sony ICD-MX20 is a professional-grade digital voice recorder that's especially recommended for those who do lots of dictation that's especially recommended for those who do lots of dictation and transcription. It is optimized for use with Nuance's Dragon and transcription. It is optimized for use with Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech-to-text transcription software and earns NaturallySpeaking speech-to-text transcription software and earns that company's highest accuracy score. Among its other features, that company's highest accuracy score. Among its other features, the Sony ICD-MX20 has more editing functions than you'll find on the Sony ICD-MX20 has more editing functions than you'll find on basic voice recorders. However, it records using proprietary file basic voice recorders. However, it records using proprietary file formats that must be converted before it can be used by other formats that must be converted before it can be used by other software, such as Windows Media Player, and the Sony software, such as Windows Media Player, and the Sony player/conversion software is not compatible with Mac OS. At just 32 player/conversion software is not compatible with Mac OS. At just 32 MB, the built-in memory is skimpy, but a slot for Memory Stick Pro MB, the built-in memory is skimpy, but a slot for Memory Stick Pro duo flash memory is provided, and those are available in capacities duo flash memory is provided, and those are available in capacities of up to 16 GB ( About $200)of up to 16 GB ( About $200)

(All of these reviews came from (All of these reviews came from http://www.consumersearch.com/digital-voice-recorders)http://www.consumersearch.com/digital-voice-recorders)

Digital Recorders in the Digital Recorders in the Elementary Music ClassroomElementary Music Classroom

There are many music GLEs that deal with singing There are many music GLEs that deal with singing in tune, matching pitches, composing, and in tune, matching pitches, composing, and performing. All of these are difficult to assess on performing. All of these are difficult to assess on the spot and they leave the parents with only a the spot and they leave the parents with only a visual record of how their student has performed visual record of how their student has performed on an auditory assignment. Digital recorders can on an auditory assignment. Digital recorders can remedy this. A member on the MENC (Music remedy this. A member on the MENC (Music Educators National Convention) forum outlined a Educators National Convention) forum outlined a way she uses digital recorders in her classroom to way she uses digital recorders in her classroom to keep audio records on her students throughout keep audio records on her students throughout the year. Below is a link to her conversation about the year. Below is a link to her conversation about this strategy on the MENC forum.this strategy on the MENC forum.

MENC ForumMENC Forum

Digital Recorders in the Digital Recorders in the Elementary Music Classroom Elementary Music Classroom

(continued)(continued) I can also see some very practical daily uses for I can also see some very practical daily uses for

this recorder without the necessity of this recorder without the necessity of downloading informationdownloading information Record the class singing a song and then play it back to Record the class singing a song and then play it back to

practice critiquing our workpractice critiquing our work Record a rhythm section playing a blues sequence over Record a rhythm section playing a blues sequence over

and over again so the students can practice and over again so the students can practice improvisationimprovisation

Record a visiting concert or group for later critique by Record a visiting concert or group for later critique by the studentsthe students

Pre-record examples for a project the students will be Pre-record examples for a project the students will be starting. ( I could also save projects from previous starting. ( I could also save projects from previous years and put them onto my computer for use in future years and put them onto my computer for use in future years)years)

Digital Recorders in other types Digital Recorders in other types of classroomsof classrooms

The original article which inspired this The original article which inspired this inquiry was titled; Digital Voice Recorders inquiry was titled; Digital Voice Recorders Turn Students into Interviewers. The main Turn Students into Interviewers. The main idea of this article was to use these idea of this article was to use these recorders to have students create recorders to have students create educational podcasts and record educational podcasts and record classroom lessons to help assist learners classroom lessons to help assist learners who need more time, such as second who need more time, such as second language learners. The article link is at the language learners. The article link is at the bottom of this page.bottom of this page.

Digital Recorders Turn Students Into IntervDigital Recorders Turn Students Into Interviewersiewers

ConclusionConclusion

Digital Recorders are a very versatile Digital Recorders are a very versatile and cost-effective tool which I and cost-effective tool which I believe could be utilized in many believe could be utilized in many different ways in many different different ways in many different classroom settings.classroom settings.

CitationsCitations

Ash, K (2009, July 13). Digital Voice Recorders Ash, K (2009, July 13). Digital Voice Recorders Turn Students Into Interviewers. Retrieved August Turn Students Into Interviewers. Retrieved August 10, 2009, from Education Week Web site: 10, 2009, from Education Week Web site: www.edu.edweek.org/dd/articles/2009/7/16/o4recwww.edu.edweek.org/dd/articles/2009/7/16/o4recorders.ho2.html? orders.ho2.html?

(2009, January 8). MENC Forums. Retrieved (2009, January 8). MENC Forums. Retrieved August 10, 2009, from MENC Web site: August 10, 2009, from MENC Web site: www.menc.org/forums/viewtopic.php?id=1871www.menc.org/forums/viewtopic.php?id=1871

(2009, May). Digital Voice Recorders: Reviews. (2009, May). Digital Voice Recorders: Reviews. Retrieved August 12, 2009, from Consumer Retrieved August 12, 2009, from Consumer Search Web site: Search Web site: www.consumersearch.com/digital-voice-recorders www.consumersearch.com/digital-voice-recorders