SoundCloud: Audio files/podcasting - mapreading activity (Mobile App)

Details

Activity Description

Create audio files / podcast posts for listening activities for your class to access online or through the mobile app for SoundCloud. The example activity is a playlist with an accompanying handout for students to practice listening skills for map reading, finding locations, and following directions. Students can also create audio files / podcasts using the Web site or app for a variety of listening, speaking, and pronunciation assignments and projects.

Preparation

1. If using the app: Download the app on your device(s). Enable your school’s wi-fi on each device. Note: This may require a password for the device or the network. Practice using the app to familiarize yourself with it.
2. If using the Web site: Open a Web browser and navigate to the SoundCloud Web site .
3. Register for an account. Select Sign Up. You may use a Google or Facebook account or any e-mail address. Check the box to agree to the service terms and select Sign Up.
4. Set the volume of the devise(s) or computer(s) at a reasonable volume.
5. If you want to use the listening and map reading exercise (Example Web Site link, above), download the map.PDF file and the “SoundCloud – Listening and Following Directions” Example Documents (above), modify as desired, print, and make photocopies. The handout includes an Answer Key.
6. Prepare a lesson to teach prepositions of location and direction.
7. Open the Example Web Site (link above) for the SoundCloud playlist (also included on the handout) and preview the activities before using them with students.
8. Alternately, if this activity does not meet your needs, select another recording from the pre-recorded options and prepare a lesson that will accompany the one you have selected. You can also create your own recording, or prepare to have students make their own recordings. For instructions on how to do this, see the How To: section below.
9. If you plan to have students record their voices, set the device or computers to allow the app to access the device’s or computers’ microphones and create student accounts at SoundCloud.

How-To

• Using the Example Web Site for the activity:
  1. Using a Web browser or a device's SoundCloud app, go to the Example Web Site link, above (or enter Listening and Map Reading in the Search field of the SoundCloud app) or provide the link to your students to work independently.
  2. Distribute the Map and the SoundCloud - Locations and Directions handout to students. Explain how everything will work. If you are doing this as a whole class, you should pause the recording at the end of each question or direction to give students a chance to think and respond.
  3. Alternately, have students listen to the sound files on devices or computers and work independently or in pairs at their own pace. (Demonstrate for them how to pause the recordings.) Then come back together as a class and go over the answers.

• To create your own recordings for an activity (requires that you have a free account) start by preparing a script ahead of time, then have students open the app or go to the site and model for them how to use it:
  1. Using a computer and the SoundCloud Web site, already created and saved audio files can be uploaded (as long as you are the copyright holder or have permission to use the file). Select Choose File to Upload. Browse to the location on the computer where the audio file is saved and select it. (See Teacher Tips, below, for file format and length information.)
  2. Or files can be recorded online by selecting Start a New Recording. If you are using a USB microphone, make sure it is plugged in. You may also use a computer’s built-in microphone.
  3. Select the Record button.
  4. Allow the site to access the computer microphone.
  5. Read your script.
  6. Select the Stop button.
  7. Give the post a title. Upload an image and add a description (optional). Chose the recording type and enter a genre and tags (optional). Select Privacy Settings (public or private) and enable or disable downloads, embed code, and apps, as desired.
  8. Save.
• Using the app, To create your own recordings for an activity (requires that you have a free account):
  1. Open the SoundCloud app and sign in.
  2. Select the Record button.
  3. Allow the app to access the device’s microphone by selecting OK.
  4. Press the Record button.
  5. Read your script.
  6. Press the Record button to stop.
  7. Press the Play button, as desired to listen to the recording.
  8. Select Delete (if you want to re-record) or Save.
  9. Choose sharing options and Post or Record Another Sound.

Teacher Tips

• The site supports AIFF, WAVE (WAV), FLAC, ALAC, OGG, MP2, MP3, AAC, AMR, and WMA files.
• The maximum file size is 5GB. If the audio file is more than 6 hours and 45 minutes long, the system will not be able to process it.
• A free SoundCloud account permits a total of 180 minutes of recorded content.
• To share a post with students, log in to SoundCloud, select Home, select the post, and choose Share. You can share by posting on social networking, direct link, e-mail, embedding, or sending in a message.
• From the app and on the Web site, students can search by name of user, title, or topic of post, but due to the content of some of the podcasts/posts, we would highly recommend that you do not allow the students to just "explore" at will.

More Ways

• Use the site or app to find audio files / podcasts that you may use for listening exercises in your class. See these examples:
  • ESMS English Adult ESL Demo by EasternSkyStudios
  • ESL Listening | Aesop's Fables, The Fox & the Grapes by Mr. Irlandés
  • Color Song ESL by Liz Santiago
  • ESL At The Doctors Spoken Vocabulary by Excellent ESL 4u
  • 01 Track 1-ESL Citizenship Questions by slimspickin
  • Listen English by fatiherol_esl (This is a playlist of readings from various sources)
• Use the site to create audio files for any type of listening you would like for students to do. Students can also create audio files: reading a paragraph, introducing themselves, writing and reading a “Who Am I” script, interviews, radio talk show, news broadcast, weekly class podcast, practice pronunciation, any oral presentation.

Program Areas

• ESL: English as a Second Language

Levels

• Beginning Low
• Beginning High
• Intermediate Low
• Intermediate High
• Advanced

Documents

• SoundCloud - Locations and Following Directions.pdf - SoundCloud Locations and Direction Handout
• map.pdf - Map

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