Vocaroo

Vocaroo is an online voice recording tool. It is such an effective tool to get the students to speak on something, record it and send it to their teacher. It is easy to use and with just a click on the link, we are directly linked to the webpage.

What is amazing about it:

1. Free

2. Easily accessible.

3. Easy to use.

4. The recordings are very clear.

Limitations:

1. If one does not have internet connection, then this tool cannot be used as it is an online recording device therefore it very much relies on the internet connection.

2. The recording tool has a time limit which is five minutes. It would be a disadvantage for students who would like to speak more.

How it can be used in the language classroom (suggestion) :

This tool would be great to use for developing students' confidence in speaking a second language. Since they could do it in the comfort of their own home, their affective filter would be lowered down thus presenting a less pressure environment for them to speak. 

Teachers could actually develop a lesson plan revolving the use of podcasts. The podcasts would function as an aiding tool and not the main tool in this lesson plan. This lesson plan could also be carried out without the use of it but it would be more fun and interactive if recording tools can be used. 

One of the ways podcasts can be used in a lesson is by asking students to imagine themselves as someone they would like to be in the future for example a journalists, a doctor, an explorer or even a traveller. Then, they are required to come out with a brief text describing themselves ( who they are, what do they do, and their future plans are as that role). They would be required to practice what they want to say to the person sitting next to them. They could exchange ideas and brainstorm on what else would they want to say for 5 minutes or less. Then, after they have talked to their partners and drafted out their brief text, they are required to record their answers on Vocaroo and send it to their teacher. It is quick, simple and manageable. 

If this lesson plan were to occur without a podcasts, it could go on by instead of students recording their 

answers and sending it to their teacher, they would just directly go talk to the teacher and tell their answers personally ( whether it is in the classroom or outside of the classroom) and teachers would take note of their answers and this could be done as one of the formative assessments teachers could do.

Click it to give it a go: http://vocaroo.com/

Have fun recording your voice!