Providing test reading accommodations using the Soundcloud app and QR codes #scc21c

There are several ways to record audio for test accommodations that can then be accessed by students during a test or in other settings where audio would support the learning needs of the student. The procedures described below were specifically designed to support a 1:1 iPad setting but could be modified to meet a variety of classroom settings.

One other note: Offering audio to all students and not just students who require accommodations is great Universal Design for Learning strategy. You may be surprised who chooses to listen to your narrated test when given the option!

Procedures for using Soundcloud app on the iPad for test reading accommodations

iPad steps

Step 1. Download the Soundcloud app from the iTunes app store.

Step 2. Open the Soundcloud app and register for a new account.

Step 3. Make a demo recording, name it, select “private”, and save.

Computer steps

Step 1. Download the Chrome Browser. (You can use Firefox and Internet Explorer, however the steps for adding a “bookmarklet” may differ).

Step 2. Go to the Active History QR Bookmarklet page.

Step 3. Click on the Chrome settings icon, hover over the “bookmarks” and select “show bookmarks bar”. You can also use the keyboard shortcut ctrl-shift-B to reveal and hide the bookmarks bar.

Step 4. Drag the red “QR Coder” bookmarklet into the bookmarks bar.

Step 5. Go to http://soundcloud.com and log in.

Step 6. Click on “You” and select “tracks” to locate the recording you made earlier on the iPad.

Step 7. Click on the “Share” icon for the track you wish to share.

Step 8. Copy the “secret link”, Open and new Chrome tab and paste the link

Step 9. Click on the “QR Coder” bookmarklet. This will generate a QR code link for the Soundcloud recording.

Step 10. Right click to save the QR code image or Right click and copy to paste the QR code into a document or click ctrl-P to print the QR code

Step 11. Attach, paste or post the QR code where students will be able to access using a QR code scanning app from their mobile device

Why I'm excited about ImageCodr.org for schools - #scc21c

Update: Check out this great Creative Commons Attribution Helper Chrome Extension

Copyright, Creative Commons, Fair Use? As educators we should be familiar with these terms as well as our obligations to use and properly cite the work of other individuals. But in the flury of getting lessons together or beating out another presentation it can be extremely difficult to credit others in this age of instant digital media, not to mention helping our students do the same.

  by  karindalziel 

Thankfully, a new tool has arrived that helps to streamline the proper citation of creative commons images - ImageCoder.org. What ImageCoder does is help you find images licensed under the various creative commons licenses on Flickr, presents you with a concise overview of what the license does and does not allow, and then provides you with an embeddable html code that properly cites the image for your blog or website.

Here's a screenshot of the license information and embed code for the image above.

Unfortunately, this won't work on Word documents or PowerPoint but would great for classroom and student websites or blogs. 

Thanks to Richard Byrne and his fantastic blog for pointing me to this great new resource!