It gets really boring as a teacher always grading written responses, whether they be in print or in a digital format. Video and audio apps help students show their learning through multimedia creation. An audio app that I’ve used in the past and students like is Audacity.
Audacity is relevant to the purpose and student needs: Yes; it can be used for Podcasts, live audio, used to cut, copy, and splice or mix sounds together and also edit various audio files. The app can be used across all subject areas to help students create projects that require sound.
Help or tutorial is available in the app: Yes; at the “Help” tab at the top. There, one will find FAQ, manuals and tutorials, tips, and support forums in languages other than English.
Content is appropriate for the student; Yes, audacity is easy to use and is appropriate for all grade levels.
Information is error-free, factual, and reliable; Audacity doesn’t have factual information per se. The app is mostly error-free and reliable.
Content can be exported, copied, or printed; Sound files can be exported and are saved as a WAV file.
App’s settings and/or content can be customized; Yes, users can customize preferences, keyboard shortcuts, plug-ins, themes, and effects.
Customized content can be transferred to other devices; Yes, the effects from the plug-ins will be downloaded when one is finished recording and is included in the WAV file.
History is kept of student use of the app; Yes, the app allows you to save.
Design of app is functional and visually stimulating; Yes, it’s intuitive and has a nice layout
Students can exit the app at any time without losing progress; Yes, the app has an autosave recovery file it will use the next time a student launches.
Works with accessibility options like VoiceOver and Speak Selection; No, but there is a guide for blind users that also includes tips for navigating the app without a mouse.
The app is free of charge; Yes
No in-app purchases are necessary for the intended use of the app; Students and teachers will not need to purchase anything to use the app.
App loads quickly and does not crash; Yes
The app contains no advertising; Mostly yes. The app is funded by donations and has minimal advertising.
App has been updated in the last 6 months; Yes.
The app promotes creativity and imagination; Yes, the possibilities are endless when it comes to recording sound and integrated plugins and the like.
App provides opportunities to use higher-order thinking skills; Yes, it’s perfect for students to use for a wide array of projects that showcase learning.
The app promotes collaboration and idea-sharing; Yes, a project can be opened in another copy of Audacity with all of the tracks and labels.
App provides useful feedback; Yes, through tips.
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