Audacity: Free Audio Editor

I came across a free music editing program while putting together an audition. I figured I'd share it with everyone!

The program is called Audacity.  Some of its features include recording live audio, converting old tapes into digital recordings or CD's, the ability to edit almost any type of audio file, cutting, copying, and splicing audio, changing the speed and pitch of a recording, and so much more!  At first, I was amazed at how simple it was to use.  Did I mention it's FREE?!

I find a lot of the features very similar to GarageBand.  But, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how  you look at it) I am a PC user and do not have GarageBand on my PC.  When I downloaded it, I also downloaded an ad-on which allows you to convert WAV files into MP3.  The program has advanced layering and mixing tools, but I have no idea how to use those.  Maybe you do?

Audacity can run on a PC, a Mac, and even people who use Linux can use it, as well.

I think this program is extremely useful for music students as well as music teachers.  I will always use it from now on to record auditions (with a good microphone attached) and I can see myself using it in the music classroom to record rehearsals and performances.

Here's a link to the website where there is a free download:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Thanks for reading!

Without My Smartphone...

I've come to realize that with today's modern technology, it can be extremely easy to take what we have at our fingertips for granted.

These are all of the things I would not have experienced today without my Smartphone. Keep in mind today was an average school day:



Without my Smartphone, I would have had to photocopy 25 pages and spend $5.00 instead of using the phone camera which was more environmentally and wallet-friendly.

Without my Smartphone, I would not have had a calculator in my math class today.

Without my Smartphone, I would not have been able to reply immediately to an email which gave me a great future opportunity.

Without my Smartphone, I would have not received the push notification (reminder) that I had a doctors appointment.

Without my Smartphone, I would not have been able to look up the word "Praxis" from my chair at school.

Without my Smartphone, I wouldn't have had a flashlight to see where I dropped my Toonie.

Without my Smartphone, I would not have been able to communicate quickly with group members for a project.

Without my Smartphone, I would not have had access to a map/GPS while lost in Brandon. (Yes, I got lost in Brandon)

Without my Smartphone, I would have lost my eBay item I bid on (and won) today.

Without my Smartphone, my overall organization would have been completely chaotic.

Thoughts on iOS 6

This blog post will be dedicated to Apple's newest iOS operating system: iOS 6.  I am extremely impressed with this update and was even inspired to make a Wordle of some of the new features/existing featurse that I find to be amazing. The first new feature I noticed was the new Maps feature; similar to Google Maps but with 3D functionality, and personally, I think it looks more attractive than Google Maps.  The next feature I noticed was a new way to share photos called the PhotoStream, which is a way to share pictures with a select group of people through email, SMS, and more.

Another feature is something I am not yet familiar with and it's called Passbook.  From what I understand, Passbook stores your movie tickets, plane tickets, concet seats, coupons, and more all in one place.  I am currently looking more into this.Also, FaceTime is now working over Cellular Data networks so you can FaceTime with anyone - anywhere!

Once I explore more into this new update, I will add some information to this blog post. So far, I'm finding this to be the best update from Apple and it's given me numerous more ways for me to be using my iPhone.  I'm still looking for ways I could integrate the newest features into the classroom. :)

Well... time for my first blog post ever! My name is Miss M. and I am currently in my third year of my undergrad at a small Canadian university.  My program is a concurrent 5-yr Bachelors of Music/Bachelors of Education degree, which I find to me absolutely amazing.  I love reading, teaching, cats, cooking, video games, and of course, technology!

A few nights ago I watched an episode of South Park (brilliant comedy, in my opinion) and it was about the world having no more internet.  At first, I found the episode to be absolutely unrealistic and hilarious, but then I came to the conclusion that Trey Parker and Matt Stone weren't off by much.  Without the internet, I wouldn't be posting this and you wouldn't be reading these words right now!  It's crazy to think about all the things I have learned through technology; I check Google News every morning and I consider it to be my morning newspaper, I'm teaching myself how to speak Mandarin Chinese through various Youtube Videos and a program called Rosetta Stone, and if I ever have a question, I can just ask Google.  Long gone are the days of not-knowing because now the internet has answers to almost anything.

I love to learn and I aspire to be a life-long learner.  I recently just downloaded an App on my iPhone called iTunes U, a data-base of courses that are offered for free.  I highly recommend it for anyone with an Apple device! It has become my new addiction.  I am currently "enrolled" in courses such as "How to use iPads in the classroom" which will greatly contribute to my ICT course at my university.  I will leave a link to it: http://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/

I think this is all for now.  I will continue to post my thoughts, ideas, and opinions on this blog. Thanks for taking the time to read! :)