Some learners find reading and writing difficult and would prefer to listen rather than to read. However may also need visual clues to help them. Podcasting does not provide this, however you could use Vodcasting (Video Podcasting) - this technology cannot be used on MP3 players, you will need a device which has MP4 in order to view the videos, see this explanation at the Channel 4 website or BBC WebWise.

 

Using Audio Files in Word Documents

An alternative is to embed audio podcasts or sound files in Word. In this example, students on a foundation study course have to listen to an audio file and answer questions on what they have heard. The tutor who produced this (Heather Hunkin, Cornwall College). Has embedded audio files in a Word document for the students to listen to. She has also included images and used drop-down boxes from which the learner can select an answer - some of her learners often have difficulty writing, so using drop-down boxes makes the task easier for them.

Notes on how the document was made

• The audio files were recorded using Windows Sound recorder; this was carried out from within Word. Insert|Object|Create New|Wave Sound
• When the Windows Sound recorder opens, record the audio, this will then be saved in the document.
• In the interactive document, the echo effect was added to simulate a train station announcement.
• Section breaks were put in the document so that learners could double click on the sound files.
• The document was then protected for filling in forms using protected sections; this was so that the drop-down boxes were enabled whilst also allowing the audio files to be double clicked.
• You should experiment with the file formats, as very often the file sizes can be very large, which will increase the size of the document - something to bear in mind when sending via email to students. This can be carried out in Sound Recorder, under the file menu, select properties.

Documents used for this activity are below.

Speaking and Listening Student Interactive Document

Speaking and Listening - The questions for use with learners who are not working on a computer. The sound files can be played to the class from an MP3 player with speakers or each learner can have the files on their own MP3 player.

Tutor Copy - A copy of the messages and questions.

 

• Higher level learners - another example of how audio files have been used in Word to give feedback to higher level learners can be found on the Learning Technologies site.