Voicemod Text-to-Song: Compose a Song about a Class Concept

Review whatever course content has been taught with a quiz using a site such as Quizziz, Kahoot!, Quizlet Live, Bamboozle, Jeopardy Labs, or other preferred formative assessment/game site.

Tell students that they are going to compose a "work of art" by creating a memory device to help them never forget an important concept from the class.

Ask students if they have any special memory techniques, whether that they created themselves or that they have been taught. You may choose to talk about different types of memory and learning/retention strategies.

Tell students about mnemonic devices. You can use this definition:

A mnemonic, also known as a memory aid, is a tool that helps you remember an idea or phrase with a pattern of letters, numbers, or relatable associations. Mnemonic devices include special rhymes and poems, acronyms, images, songs, outlines, and other tools. Mnemonic (pronounced ni-mon-ik) is derived from the Greek  hrase mimnēskesthai meaning to “remember.” (source: https://literaryterms.net/mnemonic/)

Help students understand mnemonic devices by giving examples. A few are the following. Replace these and/or add your own.

For the colors of the rainbow: Roy G. Biv and Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain for the colors of the spectrum (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).

Names of the Great Lakes: HOMES - Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior

Order of operations in pre-algebra meaning: PEMDAS – Please excuse my dear Aunt Susie. = Parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, adding, and subtraction.

The lines of the treble clef in music  EGBDF -  Every Good Boy Does Fine = The bottom line is E, then G, B, D, & F. 

Ask students to share other mnemonic devices they know.

Optionally, show images for visual mnemonic devices. 

Working individually, in pairs, or small groups, assign or have students choose a term or concept from the recent lesson.

Demonstrate some ideas for how to create a mnemonic, whether an acronmym, jingle, or rhyme.

Give students time to write a short (one to three sentences) for whatever mnemonic they are assigned or have chosen. Provide feedback on content and mechanics.

Tell students that they are now going to create a simple music video using an online tool. Demonstrate how to use Voicemod with the steps provided. Have students work together or individually on computer or devices. You may choose to have them download just the audio file or the video file. Have students share the files with you via your preferred method (e.g., email attachment or submission in an LMS). 

Compile students' work into a shared folder or on a website. As time allows, let students share and explain their work. Optionally, have a class vote on the best music video, most creative, most musically talented, etc.

Students will use a learning and memory strategy that they can apply to other content, subjects, and areas of their lives while using creativity and exercising digital literacy while making language choices.