Voice+Tools

Exploring Voice Tools // Choose some of the following audio tools to explore. What are the differences between them? Which ones would you use with students? For what? //




 * Vocaroo** http://www.vocaroo.com
 * What it is:** Record and share short and simple audio files (voice messages) by email
 * Suitable for:** 12+
 * Requires:** computer, microphone
 * Time:** 5 mins+
 * Beware:** No registration required. No limit on message length (kept 1-2 months or 5-6 months if you register for an account)
 * Some examples:** n/a
 * Suggested use:** Ask learners to record their stories or to send you audio messages for homework



**Voxopop** http://www.voxopop.com ** What it is: **  Voice discussion board **Suitable for**: 13+ Beware: n.a.
 * Requires**: computer, microphone
 * Time:** 30 mins+
 * Some examples:** Discussions tagged with English  | Discussions about music
 * Suggested use:** Get learners to find and listen to some of the discussions and/or create your own class discussion and ask them to respond




 * Audio Boo** @http://audioboo.fm/
 * What it is:** Record and share short audio files on the Web or send voice messages
 * Suitable for:** 12+
 * Requires:** computer, microphone
 * Time:** 20 mins+
 * Beware:** Limited to 5 minutes of audio. Need to register. Messages (boos) kept for as long as you want.
 * Some examples:** n/a
 * Suggested use:** Ask learners to record their stories or to send you audio messages


 * Chirbit** @http://www.chirbit.com
 * What it is:** A tool for audio blogging



** What it is: **  Create a talking photo **Suitable for**: 13+ Beware: n.a.
 * Fotobabble** @http://www.fotobabble.com/
 * Requires**: computer room or laptops, microphone
 * Time:** 30 mins
 * Some examples:** Owl, Clancy's lunch
 * Suggested use:** <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Get learners to find a funny photo and to produce a monologue to go with it - great for speaking practice


 * Blabberize** @http://blabberize.com/
 * What it is:** Automatically animates a photo that you add a recorded voice to
 * Suitable for:** 12+
 * Requires:** computer, microphone, access to a photo
 * Time:** 45 mins+ to find photo and write text AND 30 mins+ for recording session AND
 * Beware:** Adverts and some content on the site are inappropriate, so I suggest you embed them in a wiki or a blog
 * Some examples:** Bach, Koala Spanish , Spanish cat , Venus by Karl , Fishy Fish
 * Suggested use:** CLASS 1: Ask learners to find a digital photo of a famous person and then produce a short text about him/her


 * Voki** @http://www.voki.com/
 * What it is:** A personalised speaking avatar that uses text to speech or allows you to add your own voice
 * Suitable for:** 13+
 * Requires:** computer, microphone, access to a photo
 * Time:** 45 mins+ to find
 * Beware:** n/a
 * Some examples:** There are some suggested lesson plans here: @http://www.voki.com/lesson_plans.php and more ideas here: @http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/02/engaging-students-with-voki.html .See also the MacMillan Iberia blog ideas
 * Suggested use:** Use voki to add something fun to your learner blogs. Students can use the text to speech function or

//If you have time, here are some other tools to look at://


 * Voicethread** - @http://voicethread.com/ - photo slideshare tool with voice capabilities (and voice commenting) Here's an example of it in use
 * Voxopop** - [] - voice message board
 * Audio Boo** - [] - mobile recording tool
 * Cinch cast** - [] - micro podcasting
 * Vaestro** - @http://vaestro.com/ - Voice Messageboard
 * iPadio** - [] - micro podcasting
 * Evoca** - @http://www.evoca.com/ - another voice tool
 * Sitepal** - @http://www.sitepal.com/ - record your own voice and add an avatar to your site.

There are many different tools that you can use for engaging with audio - can you recommend any more?