Audacity to the rescue!

In my program, we have a final exit exam that all 5th graders take from which we gather data about the effectiveness of the program. Part of this test is an individual assessment of oral comprehension skills. This part is long and annoying! I have to record all the students and go back and listen to them later to grade them, which isn't that annoying I suppose. The reasoning is that some students will be anxious if they know you are grading them at that time or if a teacher makes a face or tries to write down a lot of notes during the "interview". So, we have traditionally used cassette tapes for this recording. This is where it would get annoying. I would have to switch tapes around for each class, watch to make sure the tape doesn't run out, and deal with bulky equipment. Then, cueing up the tape if you decide to go back and listen to some students (to grade them) can be a nightmare (if you don't listen to everyone on the tape).

Anyway, last year was the first year we were allowed to use Audacity. The difference it made was amazing. I can easily save each student's conversation in their folder and then go back and listen over and over again if I want. The quality is a lot clearer as well, which makes grading them much easier.

Last year, it was optional to use Audacity instead of tapes. I was surprised at the number of teachers who chose to continue with cassette tapes. Those of you reading this who have used Audacity know how simple this program is. It takes about 5 seconds to open the program and begin recording. This year, using Audacity is mandatory (probably because they realized that buying cassette tapes was a huge waste of money).

It is amazing how much technology can help simplify tasks in educational settings. I look forward to finding more of these types of instances in the future!

Not a clue what to write about, so why not....

talk about how happy I am that I did the ITS program?

Seriously, I am so thankful that I somehow came across this program and decided to do it. This past weekend, my sister-in-law asked me if I felt like I had learned anything new in "that fancy master's program" or if it was just a means to a pay raise. I answered her truthfully: It is as if a veil has been lifted from my eyes.

I am not anywhere close to being old, but I honestly cannot remember what I learned in college about being an educator. I don't know if I really didn't learn that much or if my much smarter brain has decided to just block out all the nonsense from that era. I am not kidding, I really can't remember what I learned. It feels like I learned nothing! Looking at my teaching now compared to before ITS (should that be BITS?), I am a completely new person. I use really different teaching methods now. My students are collaborating! I know to give them the full answer if they ask for it (because they are approaching the ZPD) whereas before I would limit their information due to their age.

If there happens to be someone reading this blog who is not an ITSer, please do yourself a favor: sign up now!