Hooky on the Harbor Audio Workshop

Lesson: Hooky on the Harbor Audio Workshop
Written by: Gracie Young
Recommended Grade Level: Educators
Subject Area: Digital Media

Introduction:
As part of the Hooky on the Harbor event, the digital studio will host an audio workshop. Educators will be invited to share their stories about when they played hooky, learn how to make audio recordings and share them online via the RYMAEC website. There will be optional tie-ins with the Damian Ortega exhibit.

Lesson Objectives
• Participants will learn the basics of audio recording using digital audio recording equipment
• Participants will learn the basics of audio editing using Audacity
• Participants will learn how to post media content on to a blog, specifically the RYMAEC site (www.rymaec.org)
• Participants will join the RYMAEC site
• Participants will learn some ways podcasting and digital media can be used in the classroom for free or minimal expense

Discussion Questions
• What kind of equipment is viable for classroom use?
• What kinds of programs can educators do in the classroom?
• How will this affect lesson plans and course content?

Vocabulary
• Vocabulary will include basic recording, editing and media posting terminology

Materials
• Zoom digital recorders, Microphones, Mac G5s, Audacity Editing Program, Itunes, Rymaec website

Time required: 20 minutes

Procedure
1. The workshop will start at regular intervals for a limited number of participants (ideally 10 or less, depending on interest).
2. Digital studio staff will give a basic overview of the zoom digital recorder and present other recording equipment options, ie: ipod recording devices or other digital systems. They will also give advice on mic placement, avoiding mic handling noise, etc.
3. Interviewing and recording: The participants will break into teams of two and will interview each other about a time they played hooky (if they have no hooky story, they should interview each other about why students should visit the ICA if they are playing hooky – specifically, why they should see the Damian Ortega exhibit). Each duo will receive one recorder. They will use a digital recorder to record their hooky story. [each interview should take 5 minutes, total time: 10 minutes]
4. File transfer and Audacity: Participants will transfer their audio files to the computers and import their files into Audacity. The digital studio staff will assist the participants with basic editing using Audacity. Ideally students will learn about copying, cutting and adjusting gain. The projects will feature a fade in, fade out and be less than two minutes in length. [5 minutes]
5. Exporting and iTunes: Digital studio assistants will help the participants export the project as a wav file, then use itunes to create an MP3 file. The participants should get a sense that editing using audacity and itunes is easy and can produce great results. These programs are free and studio assistants should start to get participants thinking about how they can incorporate media projects
into the classroom. [5 minutes]
6. Posting to RYMAEC: After the project has been formatted as an MP3, the participants will post it to the RYMAEC site with help from the assistants. Participants will have to register with RYMAEC. Joe will explain RYMAEC briefly and how participation can help with enriching the classroom experience. Participants can post student generated content to RYMAEC back at their respective schools. Free tools for blogging (blogspot etc) can also be suggested. [5
minutes]

Evaluation
Participants should enjoy themselves and get a taste of editing digital media. They should begin thinking about ways to use media in the classroom. Perhaps their students can create podcasts, reviews and reports using audio recording technology. This could be great for students who are not engaged with traditional paper writing. Ideally participants will be motivated to download audacity and give it a try at home.

MA State Standards:
National Standards:

Resources:
See http://www.rymaec.org/node/284 for some ideas.
Audacity help and Tutorials: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/
RYMAEC site: http://www.rymaec.org/
How-tos about audio recording/interviewing/etc.: http://www.transom.org
www.generation.prx
http://www.transom.org/tools/basics/200501.shoutout.kdavis.html
(see attachment for additional resources)

The Sound of Newness - Sound exploration piece

“New” is momentary
A Sound Piece

The ICA “will never be new again”. This is a moment to reflect on this wonderful opportunity that you, the staff, artists and the public are able to witness and enjoy. The beauty of contemporary Art is that it is always new. So in some ways this building will always be fresh. Thinking about the temporary nature of newness, generate a 1 – 2 minute sound piece that reflects on an aspect of the ICA, whether it is a piece of art, an area of the museum, a particular museum patron, a staff member.

Goals
Aesthetic
Combine recorded and created sound
Repeat sounds, subtly

Include
•People Talking
•Ambient Sounds
•Computer generated sounds
The piece must be less than 25 % interview

Technical
•Perfectly Recorded Sound (no wind pops, peaking audio, etc.)
•Audio Filters in FCP
•Experiment with Sound Field, include one pan change over time
•Add effect to sound element and set effect in particular place in sound field