The audio tool warehouse at http://www.applian.com/ continues to impress me more each day.?? One reason in particular is the vast selection of resources that are free (and next to free) for educators and the general public.?? The second reason is that continually find new ways to use these resources.
A prime example of one of those valuable resources is called Freecorder.?? This free download (http://www.applian.com/freecorder4/download.php) is a tool bar within your preferred Web browser that allows you to capture the sounds coming from any input, like microphones.?? Here teachers can assign students to record oral exams in .mp3 format (easily shared and archived) at a station or any oral performance task.?? The instructions that I add to a rubric are easy to follow and this delegates out tasks while freeing up valuable instructional time for other activities.?? Much like Audacity, Freecorder can serve as the base for any podcast or audio recording.?? Basically, you can gussy up any file with nice intro music to enhance its professionalism when creating files for students or professional organizations.?? This tool also helps satisfy needs in the area of special education.?? Many of my students who have 504 and Individualized Educational Programs (SpEd documentation) ask to have a private room for writing their exam.?? This tool affords me the opportunity to record audio instructions for every section and read aloud each question.?? Also, I can add the .mp3 (or .mp4) audio section from the publisher???s assessment CD to have students successfully complete the exam without needing me to explain it personally.?? Simply put, I can drop off a copy of the CD and the exam.?? Freecorder makes it more manageable as a teacher while enhancing my instructional delivery.??
Audio, recording, ACTION!!
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teltdaryl 
I found the website http://www.applian.com to contain useful information that could be valuable in trying to implement various technologies into the classroom. For instance, I was looking at the options for skype using the telecorder so that you could record calls (i.e. side-by-side) when conducting a (skype) call with someone. How I thought this could be useful was by recording a conversation or interview with someone ahead of time (especially if they would be unavailable during class time, etc.), recording it, and then playing it during class to give/express information from perhaps some expert directly. Students may then be able to ask/send questions later. Or students could conduct an interview and show to the class/teacher for a class project. Overall, I thought this could be very useful and applicable and am interested in pursuing it on my own. Thanks, Kelly.
I really like the idea of recorded oral exams and especially using this tool for special education. Many students learn best through oral instruction and when it comes to testing, students can become confused at what is expect of them by the teacher because they are not strong readers or have a reading disorder (such as dyslexia). This tool provides an opportunity for these students to be successful test takers.