Using Audio in Canvas Discussion Forums

Since January 2021, the primary box where you create content in Canvas, known as the Rich Content Editor, has a new look!  Today we will show you how to use the new version of the Record/Upload Media feature and provide an example of how to use these audio recordings in Discussion Forums.  

How to Record/Upload Media in the new Rich Content Editor

In the new editor, there are two options for getting started with inserting content.
You can click on the Insert menu and then Media, 

 

 or you can click on the Media icon.  

2.  You will see the tool set to the default to upload from your "Computer".  Click on "Record" to activate the camera and microphone.

4.  From this point on, the tool functions as it did in the previous version of Canvas. To record only your voice, turn off the webcam video and click Start Recording.

4.  After speaking, you will have the opportunity to preview the recording and then to save the recording.

Using Audio in a Discussion Forum

When we think of discussion forums, we tend to envision students writing. If you have used a tool such as Flipgrid, however, you may also be familiar with posting video messages and the possibility of threaded responses. Whether writing or speaking, these asynchronous tools provide students opportunities to review messages multiple times and respond after formulating or practicing a response. This can contribute to students' confidence and success. Through the Upload/Record Media feature in Canvas, threaded audio-only oral discussions in the regular discussion forum tool are also possible!  

Why might you use this functionality?  Here are just a few reasons:

1. Audio recordings process faster than video recordings

2. Some students feel more comfortable recording only their voice

3. Recordings can be heard by everyone in the class, as opposed to an assignment that only the instructor can access 

4. The Rich Content Editor provides space to include clear instructions, images or additional resources.

5. In Canvas you can easily track all contributions by one student, including individual replies.  

Example with Audio Recordings in a Discussion Forum

In this scenario, 

1. The instructor records a prompt, asking students to describe a trip they took sometime in the past, including information about who, what, when, where, why and how. (Alternatively, the instructor could present the prompt in writing.)

Place the cursor where you want to insert the audio recording. Follow the instructions outlined above to record your prompt.

After you have saved the recording, it will appear as a gray player box.

Once you have posted the prompt and published it, the gray player box will have an icon with a music note. The entire post will look like this:

2. Students listen to (or read) the prompt. \ They click Reply and record their oral response using the Upload/Record Media feature.

3. Students listen to responses from 3 classmates and reply to each individual with an oral comment. \ For example, students could be asked to highlight the way their own travel experiences are similar or different from the examples they heard.

Other uses of the Record/Upload Media Feature

Don't forget that previous posts in this blog have shown how instructors can use the Record/Upload Media feature in Canvas to provide feedback on student submissions, provide aural support of written texts, and record questions for use in quizzes. In the future, look for information on how students can provide oral responses to quiz questions!