Creating PODCASTS with Myna

I normally use AUDACITY to make my recordings, however I'm aware it can be a bit challenging to newbies due to the fact that you have to download the program and then also download Lame to convert your recordings to MP3s.

I was looking for something simpler to show to a group of trainees I have for the online course I facilitate and remembered AVIARY's audio editor MYNA.

This is a short TUTORIAL I've created to help teachers record themselves so that later they can use the mp3 file to make a screencast at slideshare.net



Next month, I'm starting a new course for ESL / EFL teachers who are familiar with the tech world but would like to learn a bit more.



During CULTURA EDTECH "Moving Beyond" , teachers will be able to learn how to create their Blogger blogs, explore webtools and post mini lesson plans, try out online video editing tools, create screencasts and presentations they can share online. Interested? Just send an e-mail to anamariacult@yahoo.com.br and I can send you more information.

Myna - recording yourself

I had already heard about Myna but hadn't tried it out. I normally use audacity for my recordings but today it was time to give it a go. First, I read a post written by José Picardo some time ago, watched the demo which is below and tried it myself.

Watch the demo


I wanted to see how easy or how hard it was to mix your voice with background music and to my surprise it's not that hard. I had a look at the library tracks, chose some of them, recorded myself saying some collocations you normally find in books teaching EFL at basic levels and mixed it up.

Don't expect a masterpiece, it was just a first (lousy) trial.

After you save it, you can embed the recording as below, or grab the URL http://aviary.com/artists/anamariacult/creations/collocations_basic_1

collocations basic 1.egg on Aviary.

If the recording doesn't play, CLICK HERE.

What I like about it:

• It's free.
• There's no need to download anything.
• You can upload a pre-recorded file or record yourself straight in the site.
• There's a library of background music you can use to make your mix.
• It's not complicated.
• It offers an embed code for your mix.

How can we use MYNA w/ students?

• record tracks with vocabulary you want students to memorize.
• record your students repeating vocabulary or collocations and then mix it up w/ music and play it for them.
• make a different kind of dictation w/ background music.
• simply use the site to record your students reading a text or dialogue.
• ask your students to create a mix with a list of words they have to memorize.

Any other ideas? Use the comment area to collaborate w/ more ideas.