Taking away the extra steps of using another software/app to record, and having to upload a file as attachment would be huge.
Seems like this would enhance asynchronous courses in a big way, as well as add some accessibility.
Idea of the day: How about a mashup of the text forum with a simple audio recorder (Flash?) built right in as an option - where there's no separate uploading - it's done all right in the forum message? Same with video would be nice, too. Something like a cross between the forum, Gong, Odeo, and Yackpack... 
Taking away the extra steps of using another software/app to record, and having to upload a file as attachment would be huge.
Seems like this would enhance asynchronous courses in a big way, as well as add some accessibility.
Taking away the extra steps of using another software/app to record, and having to upload a file as attachment would be huge.
Seems like this would enhance asynchronous courses in a big way, as well as add some accessibility.
Great idea, Clark--and very desired. It is one of the most talked about and most attempted needs in the past couple years. Moodlespeex is the simplest but I wasn't happy with the audio quality. Gong required a heavy Java server and engineer ability to get it set up. Then there is DimDim and others that some have added on. You might even take a look at Paul Daniel's voice blog (among his many projects) for Moodle. I still have my students use Audacity and attach the file to the forum post--the only way I know that uses free software with good quality.
If you make one really simple, we would hail you as hero!
If you make one really simple, we would hail you as hero!