Digital Tools for Teaching and Learning

Audacity is an easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems.

Audacity is an open source tool and free for anyone to use.

Audacity is best for

• Quick, beginner audio recording and editing
• Podcasts, videos, and presentations 
• Voiceovers

Limitations

• Not great for music creation:
  • Does not offer loops or sequencers
• Does not support WMA or AAC formats.
• Can only export from audacity:
  • No one-click sharing from the tool 

Accessibility

• Most of Audacity's functionality is available to those using a screen reader. However, screen reader access works best with Windows.
• For Macs, it is best to use an accessible version 2.1.1 and rather than the newest version which requires a lot of support to use with a screen reader. 
  • Accessibility - Audacity Manual
  • Audacity4blind mailing list
  • Guide to using Audacity for JAWS users

Resources

GarageBand is a fully equipped music creation studio for Mac, complete with a sound library that includes instruments, presets for guitar and voice, and an incredible selection of session drummers and percussionists. 

GarageBand is an open source tool and free for any MacOS user. 

GarageBand is best for

• Music creation
• Podcast recording and editing
• Voiceovers for videos and presentations

Limitations

• Some of the provided media in the sound library is outdated and of low quality.
• The busy layout can quickly get overwhelming for beginners
• Only available to macOS users

Accessibility

There is some usability with voiceover which involves the screen reader built into the Mac operating system. However, it does not seem to pick up on all of the categories or options, which means not all functions are available to people using assistive technology. 

Resources

Zencastr is a modern web-based solution for high-quality podcast production. With a fully-featured suite of professional tools, Zencastr allows podcast producers to quickly and painlessly record their guests over the web in studio quality.

With a free account, users have access to:

• Up to 2 guests
• 8 hours of recording per month
• Recording in MP3

Zencastr is best for

• Podcasting and audio recording
  • Includes multiple file formats for recording and seamless Dropbox integration

Limitations

• Many technical requirements:
  • Until users/speakers join the recording, you are unable to know if their computers and headphones actually pass the test for requirements
  • The system runs a quick test and lets you know if it is able to record, and it will not record if the speaker's computer system or headphones don't pass all the checks
• Compatible only with Chrome and Firefox

Accessibility

The Zencastr interface is not Accessible and cannot be navigated using the keyboard. 

Resources