Audio -Streaming Audio

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1. Brief Description: Streaming audio is audio that is playing on one device, while the rest of the audio data is still being transmitted to the streaming device.

2. Standards and Goals: (when, how and where to use for instructional meaningful connections, how would this be used in the real world) Streaming audio should be used to present any type of audio lesson to learners with internet connectivity, when it would be inconvenient to wait for the entire file to download or when they lack a device with the necessary storage capacity to download the entire file.

3. Application to types of learning:

     a. Cognitive objectives: (Prior knowledge, reading ability, vocabulary levels) The need for prior knowledge is limited to the ability of instructors to produce streaming audio lessons and learners to access them. A benefit of streaming audio is that there is no reading ability required for its use. In fact streaming audio may be used as a substitute for, or supplement to written communication or printed material. It may even be used to help develop reading abilities by providing an audio narration of what is written. Streaming audio may also be used to develop recognition of significant sounds. A learner may need to know how a device, machine or instrument should or shouldn’t sound, and how to troubleshoot based on these sounds. Streaming audio can also be used to teach pronunciation and recognition of words to language learners. Care should be taken to ensure that the vocabulary level used in recordings is appropriate for the target audience and the lesson.

     b. Psychomotor objectives: (interpretive movement, physical and perceptual abilities) There are no movement or physical requirements for learners using streaming audio and instructors require only the ability to speak clearly, unless the use of music or some other more involved sound is being used. The ability to listen to streaming audio while performing other tasks makes it a great tool for providing direction while a learner performs a task. Streaming audio can also be used to establish a rhythm for repetitive actions, such as CPR, which must be performed with a certain frequency. Learners must possess the perceptual ability to hear and interpret sound. 

     c. Affective objectives:(senses, what attentive needs and abilities, value/emotion requirement, motivation to learn)
Streaming audio lessons require learners to listen critically. They must be able to focus on understanding what they are hearing and must be able to maintain their focus throughout the length of the lesson. Streaming audio can also be used to improve focus, limit distractions, and promote calm, such as using music or white noise during tasks which require concentration. Streaming audio may be used to induce a desired emotion through tone of voice, volume, rhythm, sound effects or background music.

4. Strengths: 

  • Very Accessible, easy to create and use.
  • Can be very stimulating and engaging.
  • Essential for the vision impaired and very helpful to those who struggle with reading.
  • Great for learning of a second language.
  • Ability to be used while engaged in another activity requiring visual attention, such as driving or cooking.
  • No need for storage space for the audio file.

5. Limitations:

  • Use of other’s material may lead to copyright violations.
  • Can be easy to lose focus on the audio.
  • Difficult to know what pace to use, as there is no opportunity for feedback during lesson.
  • No opportunity to answer questions or rephrase to facilitate better understanding.
  • Requires internet access.

6. Special Features/Creative ideas: Streaming audio can be used as a supplement to reading to not only assist those with reading difficulties, but to bring the text to life. Sound effects, voice actors and accents can make a text more lively and entertaining. Streaming audio can also be used to model conversational rhythm and pronunciation for language learners, adding a layer of instruction that is difficult to replicate with text alone. Streaming audio may be live streamed, enabling learners to experience events in the moment.

7. UDL/ Accessibility requirements:

Provide options for perception:

  • Provide the same information through different modalities by providing a text transcript of audio presentations. This can be used for those with learning or hearing differences, or those that can’t easily take notes and listen at the same time.
  • Translate into different languages if needed for English Language Learners

Provide options for self-regulation:

  • Provide sufficient alternatives to support learners after the lesson to listen on their own with volume considerations (Ex. increased volume for those with hearing impairment), rate of speech options,  and comprehension needs

8. Technology Resources/websites:

9. References:

CAST (2018).  Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.2. Retrieved from http://udlguidelines.cast.org