Lesson Plan
Course Title: Digital and Interactive Media
Session Title: Introduction to Audio Recording
Lesson Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Performance Objective:
With the use of a sound recording program, the student will be able to produce an appropriate
.wav file to the satisfaction of the instructor.
Specific Objectives:
 Configure hardware for recording
 Initiate the recording process
 Adjust and verify settings in the audio recording software
 Write a PSA intended for radio broadcast
 Create an audio recording of your PSA message
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
As published, this lesson correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the
activities may result in the elimination of one or more of the TEKS listed.
§130.278 (c) Digital and Interactive Media
 (1)(B) identify and demonstrate positive personal qualities such as flexibility, openmindedness, initiative, listening attentively to speakers, and willingness to learn new
knowledge and skills

(1)(C) employ effective reading and writing skills

(1)(D) employ effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills;

(1)(I) demonstrate planning and time-management skills such as project management
and storyboarding

(10)(B) demonstrate proper use of terminology and concepts in relation to audio
technology;

(10)(E) demonstrate proper use of audio editing software such as adding effects, fading,
volume control, and manipulation of waveforms using appropriate digital manipulation
software

(10)(F) export audio files to be used in digital formats in various
Instructor/Trainer
References:
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Intro to Audio Plan
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1. Sound Recorder program
2. Sound Recorder Help program
Instructional Aids:






Audio Recording Outline Presentation
Audio Recording Assignment
Audio Recording Rubric
Vocabulary for Audio Recording Presentation
Vocabulary for Audio Recording Organizer
Sample Audio Script
Materials Needed:
None
Equipment Needed:
 Computer equipped with sound recording software
 Microphone
 Word processing software (script)
 Sound recorder program
 Projector for presentation
 Computer speakers
Learner
Learners will review vocabulary terms the night before.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
Vocabulary: Audio, Frequency, .wav, sound card, microphone, sound wave, pitch,
volume, sound bite, sound clip, and PSA.
Play a teacher-made sound recording that is personalized to the class.
Examples:
 Message from Administrator
 Message from Teacher
 Message from Celebrity
Follow by saying something like, “Class, this is my attempt to use technology in our
class. What else could I have recorded that you would enjoy or benefit from?”
Lead the class in brainstorming ideas as students respond.
Review the Vocabulary using the Vocabulary for Audio Recording Presentation.
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Intro to Audio Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II): Instructors can use the
presentation, slides, handouts, and note pages to
support and reinforce the following outline.
I. Configure hardware for recording
Instructor Notes:
Present the outline using the
Audio Recording Outline
Presentation.
A. Connect the microphone
B. Open the Sound Recorder program
C. Select input line
D. Set the record settings
1. Volume – adjust record volume level
during a practice recording check
2.
Quality - CD quality requires
approximately 2 megabytes of file space
per 10 seconds
a. Show students the
microphone input on
the sound card and
demonstrate plugging
in a microphone with
a mini-plug (1/8”).
b. Demonstrate opening
the Recorder program
following the path
given.
3. Add Echo if desired
You must then save the file to keep the echo effect
on the file. Echo gives a “reverb” effect and is
usually more suitable for music than for voice.
c. Demonstrate
selecting the input
line.
ASK, “What would happen if
I selected the wrong input?”
a. Demonstrate setting
the volume level.
ASK, “Why is it important to
speak into the microphone
the same way you are going
to do the final recording?”
ASK, “What do the changes
in the size of the signal in the
box indicate?”
a. Explain that there is a
trade-off between the
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Intro to Audio Plan
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quality of the
recording and the
amount of file space
required. The higher
the quality, the more
file space is required.
Radio and telephone
quality are lower than
CD.
“CD Quality” is the
highest quality setting,
but it creates the
largest file size.
b. Demonstrate that a
person can be more
selective in the quality
settings by selecting
“Untitled” under
“Name” and selecting
an appropriate setting
from the drop down
box for “Attributes.”
This gives the highest
quality possible for the
file size required.
ASK, “When might a person
be interested in a lower
quality recording?”
a. Open a sound file and
click “Add Echo.” Then,
play the file to
demonstrate the effect.
ASK, “When might the echo
effect be used effectively for
voice?” (Example: High
intensity ads, to emphasize a
phrase, etc.)
II. Initiate the recording process
A. Click Record
B. Start Input
Demonstrate
III. Stop and save recording
Demonstrate
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Intro to Audio Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Click Stop
Click File
Click Save As
Select Save Location
Name File
Click Save
Playback: Click “Play”
IV.
Demonstrate
V. Summary
ASK the following questions:
1.
What is the first step in setting up your
computer to record?
2.
Where is the Sound Recorder program found
if you are opening it from the “Start” menu?
3.
What must be accomplished in the Volume
Control program?
4.
How do you start the recording process?
5.
Describe the signal strength as displayed by
the green line in the Sound Recorder when
the record volume is properly set.
6.
What are three ways to change the
characteristics or quality of a recording?
After presenting the outline,
ask the summary questions.
(Use the Outline PPT to
facilitate the questioning
process.)
After the summary questions,
walk a student through the
recording process.
Let the students practice
recording their voice by
recording a short sentence or
two of their choice of text.
Move through the class to
monitor the students’
understanding. Students
may use the Sample Audio
Script (pdf) as a text.
After the students show
understanding of the
recording process, have the
students complete the Audio
Recording Assignment.
Pass out a copy of both the
assignment sheet and the
Audio Recording Rubric
(pdf). Go over the rubric with
the students before they
begin the assignment.
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Demonstrate the recording process on the teacher’s computer projected onto a
screen so that all can see. The teacher shows the students the recording process
while students follow along at their computer stations.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Intro to Audio Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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Students will complete the Audio Recording Assignment (pdf).
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Say, “On the basis of what you have learned in this lesson, list some ways to
improve the quality of your recording.”
Lead the class in listing major points of the lesson on a white board, flipchart,
projected screen, etc.
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):


MI
Teacher will observe students during guided practice to assess student
understanding of concepts and techniques. Revision/reteach will occur as
needed before moving to the Independent Practice portion of the lesson.
Teacher will circulate through lab as students work on recording independently to
redirect/reteach as necessary.
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Use the Audio Recording Rubric to evaluate the finished recordings.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Students will apply recording techniques in future projects.
Students will compete in the recording portion of the TSA regional and state
competition.
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Intro to Audio Plan
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Icon
MI
Verbal/
Linguistic
Logical/
Mathematical
Visual/Spatial
Musical/
Rhythmic
Bodily/
Kinesthetic
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Naturalist
Existentialist
Teaching Strategies
Personal Development
Strategies
Lecture, discussion, journal
writing, cooperative learning,
word origins
Reading, highlighting, outlining,
teaching others, reciting information
Problem solving, number
games, critical thinking,
classifying and organizing,
Socratic questioning
Mind-mapping, reflective
time, graphic organizers,
color-coding systems,
drawings, designs, video,
DVD, charts, maps
Use music, compose songs
or raps, use musical
language or metaphors
Organizing material logically, explaining
things sequentially, finding patterns,
developing systems, outlining, charting,
graphing, analyzing information
Developing graphic organizers, mindmapping, charting, graphing, organizing
with color, mental imagery (drawing in
the mind’s eye)
Use manipulatives, hand
signals, pantomime, real life
situations, puzzles and board
games, activities, roleplaying, action problems
Reflective teaching,
interviews, reflective listening,
KWL charts
Cooperative learning, roleplaying, group brainstorming,
cross-cultural interactions
Natural objects as
manipulatives and as
background for learning
Socratic questions, real life
situations, global
problems/questions
Creating rhythms out of words, creating
rhythms with instruments, playing an
instrument, putting words to existing
songs
Moving while learning, pacing while
reciting, acting out scripts of material,
designing games, moving fingers under
words while reading
Reflecting on personal meaning of
information, studying in quiet settings,
imagining experiments, visualizing
information, journaling
Studying in a group, discussing
information, using flash cards with
other, teaching others
Connecting with nature, forming study
groups with like-minded people
Considering personal relationship to
larger context
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Intro to Audio Plan
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AUDIO RECORDING ASSIGNMENT
Scenario:
You write and produce broadcast announcements for a radio station. Your station
receives numerous requests each week for public service announcements (PSAs) from
local churches, schools, youth groups, and other non-profit organizations. Your station
is noted for informative and quality PSAs.
Assignment:
1. Your task is to choose an organization and event for which you will produce a PSA.
You may choose a public or private school activity, youth sports group, church
event, food bank, animal protection group, conservation group, charity, senior citizen
group, etc.
2. Write a 30-second PSA for that organization.
(The Sample Audio Script (.pdf) is an example of a 30-second Public Service
Announcement.)
a. Use a word processor
 Use 12 point Arial type
b. Use appropriate language and grammar
c. Print your PSA
d. Obtain approval (signature, initials, stamp, etc.) from your instructor
e. See required elements and point system shown on the scoring rubric
3. Produce a 30-second PSA.
a. Use the sound recorder software on your PC
b. Refer to your notes from the introduction and guided practice
c. See required elements and point system shown on the scoring rubric
4. Save your recorded PSA in your personal class folder.
5. Save your recorded PSA in the folder for grading required by your instructor.
Materials/Equipment needed:
1. Computer
2. Word processor
3. Audio recording software
4. Microphone
5. Speaker
6. Printer
Grading Rubric:
See required elements and point system shown on the scoring rubric for Audio
Recording.
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Intro to Audio Plan
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Audio Recording Assignment
SCORING RUBRIC
Student: ____________________________________
Class Period: ________
9-10 Points
7-8
Points
4-6
Points
Very Strong
Strong
Moderate
To some
extent
stated
0-3 Points
Points
Awarded
BROADCAST SCRIPT

Introduction (opening)

Information regarding the
organization
Clearly stated
Moderately
stated

Message (purpose, what it
does, where proceeds go,
etc.)
Clearly stated
Moderately
stated

Appropriate organization,
font, & sentence structure
Organized and
clearly
understood
A few
transition
problems

Conclusion (closing)
Very Strong
Strong
No problems
A few
problems
Easy to hear in
classroom
Can be
heard in
quiet setting
More than
expected
problems
Hard to hear
in quiet
setting
Clear and
distinct
Some white
noise
Distracting
white noise
Some
vague
portions
>28, < 29
seconds
½ to ¾ of
message
not clear
>27, < 28
seconds
To some
extent
stated
Unorganized
but purpose
can be
understood
Moderate
Weak
Implied
Implied
Unorganized
and difficult to
understand
Weak
BROADCAST RECORDING

Recording plays back
easily

Volume

Clarity of recording

Message

Timing
Grade (total points)
Clear and easily
understood
29 to 30
seconds
----------
---------- ----------
Does not play
back
Cannot be
understood
Distorted and
hard to
understand
Over ½ of
message not
clear
< 27 or >30
seconds
----------
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Intro to Audio Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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Audio:
__________, especially recorded and/or reproduced sound.
Frequency:
The number of __________ or waves per unit of __________, usually
given in cycles per second.
Microphone: An __________ that converts sound waves into an electric signal: used
mostly for sound recording and/or reproduction.
Pitch:
The characteristic of sound determined by the __________ of the sound
waves.
PSA:
Abbreviation for __________ __________ __________. A message
prepared for media to deliver a message of public interest or benefit:
usually from a non-profit, charitable, or government organization.
Script:
Written text of __________ to be spoken, particularly for stage, film,
radio or television.
Sound bite:
A __________ or short piece of ___________ taken from a longer
speech or dialog.
Sound card: An electronic piece of __________ added to a computer, usually as a
plug-in card, that can record and play back sound.
Sound clip:
A short piece of sound taken from a __________ __________; may also
refer to a short sound recording inserted into a longer presentation such
as a newscast.
Sound wave: A wave of alternating high and low __________ __________ moving
through the air caused by the vibration of an object or vocal chord.
Volume:
The __________ of sound.
.wav:
The __________ for storing sound in computer files.
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Intro to Audio Plan
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Sample Audio Script
John Doe lost everything in a fire last week. Home, clothes, belongings… all gone.
Although no one was hurt, John and his family need some real help. The Community
Fire Relief exists just to help people like John Doe and his family. We provide food,
shelter, and clothing while John and others like him recover from their loss. Won’t you
help? Call 555-5555 today. Community Fire Relief… bringing hope out of the ashes.
IT: Digital and Interactive Media: Intro to Audio Plan
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11