When Janelle Porter came into the library last week she was wearing an unusual looking piece of hardware on her collar.  She explained that she was recording her classroom presentations.   I asked her if she would share her idea and experience with the rest of the faculty.  The following is her written explanation.  Thank you Janelle!!

“For the past week and a half I have been wearing a really cool hi-tech Samsung Digital Audio Player attached to my collar with a really hi-tech paper clip!  The audio player records my classes…the paper clip is all I could find to ensure the microphone was close enough to my mouth.  With the technical help of my husband, I record my classes and copy the files to my math website.  It has been quite a challenge to teach my lesson knowing it is being recorded.  I want students to be able to access class sessions if they have been absent so I try to use more descriptive methods.  I try to teach as though I am instructing a blind student.  It is very difficult.  And if you listen to any of the recordings, you might be able to tell that I am not good at it just yet.  One of the other pitfalls is having to listen to yourself as you review the recordings.  I do no enjoy that at all!  Aside from these few hurdles, I think it is really going to be an asset to my classroom.  Students will be able to catch up/review when necessary and parents will have the opportunity to hear what is going on in class!  As a parent, I would embrace this opportunity.  To hear classroom audio, go to www.porterweb.net/math and select either precalculus or AP calculus.  Select audio.  These files take a minute or two to download as they are probably a bit too large.  My next project is to work on compressing them.  Any comments, criticisms, or corrections are welcome!”   Janelle Porter