Audio

After reading about using audio in the classroom in chapter 15, I decided to learn to use Garage Band on my Mac.  I asked my children to teach me some of the components, which was quite overwhelming, but I knew I wanted to learn how to record my 2nd graders doing reading assessments. I am required to assess my students using a DRA reading test three times a year, and sometimes more with students who are not at grade level. I plan on recording the students read the story, and then will save each one to a DRA folder. It will be very helpful to listen to the readings at home, and because they are recorded, I can easily go back and listen for fluency and accuracy and fill out my paperwork at home. It takes a few weeks to complete my entire class of DRA tests, and by the time I finish with my last one, I can't remember how the first child sounded. This will enable me to go back and listen again if needed. I try to use the assessments to group kids who need a certain reading strategy, so having the assessments recorded will help me do a better job in this area. I do plan to eventually let students record themselves in order to listen to themselves read books in order to work on fluency.