Week 4: Part 2 Activity 2 – Creating Audio Instructions

Going into the project this week for creating instructions using just audio, I thought that it would be a very simple process. I have used Audacity for many things in the past, but have not concentrated on using the files to create instructions. I soon found that there were some differences to creating instructions just using audio. First, it is important to have a script of the instructions so that there are not gaps left in the instruction. You have to make sure that there is enough information for the student to be able to actually visualize from the audio instructions. Next, when creating audio instructions, I learned that it is important to create several short clips instead of just one long file like would be created if you were using text and/or images. But the largest difference I found was that with audio, the designer can add timing and tone to the audio giving the instructions a more personal touch. So after creating the audio project, I discovered that it was not quite as simple as I first thought it would be and that there were some differences in creating instructions comprised of just audio files.

When looking at efficiency, I feel that it is different for the teacher as compared to the student. For the teacher, creating the audio file can take less time than creating step by step instructions. Yet, for the student, it may not be as efficient since they have to listen to the entire audio file to learn the instructions as opposed to having the ability to skim through a set of written or visual instructions to find what they need. However, in Barron’s (2004) research, she did find that as far as remembering information, listening to audio files was more efficient than just reading the instructions. As long as the audio files are created as short sets of instructions and are clearly labeled, it could be more efficient for the student.

When I create instructions, I have always been conscious that students learn differently. This activity has now made me aware that adding audio files can be a great tool when designing instructions. As students in today’s classrooms use their portable devices more and more, adding audio files would play to their interest to help motivate them through the activities. Also, since students do learn differently, adding the audio component would help reach more students as they learn the lesson presented.

So in the end, I do feel that there are benefits as well as limitations when creating instructions that are only comprised of audio files. As far as limitations go, I feel that just providing audio files for instruction makes the student have to listen to the entire file to understand the concepts. With visual or written instructions, students can skim through to find what they need for a particular area. Also, if only using audio files, students must have a device to listen to the file. There are some students that are not going to have access to a device outside of school to be able to listen to the instructions. At the same time, the use of audio does have some benefits. First, the instructions do become more accessible since they can be accessed using a portable device. But probably most beneficial is that the audio instructions, or even audio feedback on assessments, is more personal and can spark more interest for the student. After completing the audio project, I feel that audio instructions can enhance a learning activity if careful attention is put into the preparation and creation of the audio files.

References

Barron, A. E. (2004). Auditory Instructions. In D. H. Jonassen (ed.), Handbook of Research on Educational Communications and Technology (2^nd ed., pp. 949 - 978). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.