The Digital Backpack

 This is one reasonably priced option for upgrading an ipod touch and using it as a voice recorder. Possibilities for learning and engagement in the classroom increase with its arrival. Investment in a  thumb tack sized microphone is only $12.99. There are many voice recorder apps online, some for free. iTalk gives you the ability to wirelessly synch the sound files to your computer. Converting them to mp3 files is then easy using a free program called Audacity. There are three options for sound quality the mid range quality is excellent. I have been looking for a voice recorder that would result in mp3 format files, so they are easy to distribute to students. A separate mp3 voice recorder like this is in the $90 range.

The main problem with this mic, is that it is so small it might be easy to lose.

This is a slide share on how it works, with ideas for classroom activities.

Ideas for classroom activities, seen in the above slideshare include

•         Pass around the class and record class/individual goals or student reflections

•         Record students reading their writing

•         Record a fictional interview with a person or object of study

•         Record a test or quiz study Q & A

•         Record key concepts

•         Create a voicethread/Add to a voicethread

•         Record a passage from a book

•         A poem

•         Script/record a radio advertisement

•         REcord Book Talks

•         Literature Circles/book group discussions and share with other groups

•         Adapt/write/record a script

•         Meet the author library development

•         Science Logs, capture real time observations/field notes/sounds

•         Art critiques

•         Write/record historically correct audio diaries

•         Create Walking Guides

•         Gather oral histories

Ref: http://fcit.usf.edu/podcasts/index.html

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