Recording Speaking Exams

[E_G_R2]

Hi,

 

currently we setup a laptop with USB Microphone and then record in Audacity. The file is exported to an exams drive and saved/named in the format that the exam board requires. Its been done like this since before I joined.

 

I suggested using a MP3 recorder as there is less to go wrong (such as microphone being unplugged or wireless going off)

 

Head of MFL says we can't do this as it won't record with the correct file name.

 

How do you people do this and also get around the naming.

 

I'm convinced that this is over complicated with too many potential points of failure. Already we have lost 2 recording due to equipment failure.

[Jawloms]

We use an iPad. Staff are familiar with them, they can rename them once they've finished recording, and then air drop them off.

[chrisnewman]

We use mp3 recorders and the MFL staff rename the files.

[MisterTechMan]

We have a number of dictaphones that are used for exactly this purpose and this has been working well.

 

For the naming, the files are renamed to the exam format after they have been recorded.

 

There is no reason that you can't adopt the same process, the only difference being is that the teacher/invigilator is naming the file after the exam instead of before. They will be doing the same process, just in a slightly different order.

[E_G_R2]

We have a number of dictaphones that are used for exactly this purpose and this has been working well.

 

For the naming, the files are renamed to the exam format after they have been recorded.

 

There is no reason that you can't adopt the same process, the only difference being is that the teacher/invigilator is naming the file after the exam instead of before. They will be doing the same process, just in a slightly different order.

 

I hear resistance from them, a task that they don't see as their responsibility. They have been too well looked after in the past when there were more of us.

[jthompson]

Maybe do both. Record on the laptop as before but also have them record using a dictaphone device. Should anything go awry with primary recording on the laptop, they can fall back on the dictaphone recording and only have to rename the file(s) they need.

 

Teachers seeing exam boards' file naming requirements as not their responsibility is definitely a theme for us here this week.

[E_G_R2]

Maybe do both. Record on the laptop as before but also have them record using a dictaphone device. Should anything go awry with primary recording on the laptop, they can fall back on the dictaphone recording and only have to rename the file(s) they need.

 

Teachers seeing exam boards' file naming requirements as not their responsibility is definitely a theme for us here this week.

 

yes we considered that but its then double the setup. Of course we could do this then wean them off the laptops when they are used to the recorders. I could cope with a daily download and then rename from a list of candidates.

[TechMonkey]

What is their issue with renaming the files? And how is it different from naming the file from Audacity?

[DrBeaker]

In one place....

 

One time

 

Dedicated MFL dictaphone

 

1. MFL staff record it

2. MFL copied them to a shared drive

3. MFL staff renamed the files in the format the EXAM BOARD required (Not an IT problem or responsibility)

4. MFL Told IT

5. IT burnt the files to a CD.

6. IT passed the CD to MFL staff.

 

It would have gone to a USB stick instead of a CD but the T&C's said that you'd never get the USB stick back and would become property of the exam board and MFL wouldn't pay and IT wasn't gonna pay for it. So it stayed on CD's

 

Then 2, 4, 5 and 6 didn't need to be done as some exam boards had got with the times and had a portal to upload them to, (Which was an MFL staff responsibility).

The dictaphone had 2x failure points - batteries and the MFL staff NOT pressing the button.

 

I expected someone with a degree to be able to be able to operate a button and identify a low battery issue. Both down to operator error, not technical failures.

 

 

One time ... Some new MFL brightspark wanted Laptops with CD players to play CDs. I suggested go buy some portable/personal CD players from Argos for £20 each. They said no, they wanted laptops... to play an audio CD for students each.

 

Eventually that person was no longer MFL staff, and was not missed.

 

What is their issue with renaming the files? And how is it different from naming the file from Audacity?

 

Laziness, lack of wanting to put a bit of effort in and wanting to pass their work to someone else to do?

 

I've seen enough of it in education over the years from teachers passing the buck with tech from something they wanted and seeing it rise again.

Edited May 3, 2024 by DrBeaker
Typos

[E_G_R2]

What is their issue with renaming the files? And how is it different from naming the file from Audacity?

 

They rename the file at the end of the recording. Apparently it makes it easier for them than downloading and then renaming.

 

Trust me though its not fool proof by any means.

[mullet_man]

We have a couple Zoom recorders and we save the files to SharePoint at the end of each day and the teacher who did the exam renames the files.

 

If you setup a folder structure in advance, by day for example then it's only say 10 or 15 files that need renaming and if the staff have a running order it's really easy for them.

 

The amount of times we had issues with using a laptop and Audacity that have all been erased using a Zoom far outway renaming the files at the end of the day rather than straight away.

[E_G_R2]

We have a couple Zoom recorders and we save the files to SharePoint at the end of each day and the teacher who did the exam renames the files.

 

If you setup a folder structure in advance, by day for example then it's only say 10 or 15 files that need renaming and if the staff have a running order it's really easy for them.

 

The amount of times we had issues with using a laptop and Audacity that have all been erased using a Zoom far outway renaming the files at the end of the day rather than straight away.

 

I'm 100% with this but cannot get through the resistance of the HOD

 

Already had 3 fails. One the microphone wasn't turned on and the laptop mic barely recorded it. Another where they got interference, we think from the mic cable being loose and covering the recording in white noise and finally not exporting the file to the right location then having a meltdown when they couldn't find it.

 

There is also the problem that we have to show them every time there are exams how to use Audacity.

[TechMonkey]

You have your evidence. You need to hand this issue over to the HoD and say that you have offered a solution that is low maintenance and easy to use so it is that or they need to ensure staff are using the equipment correctly and to train them. It is not your job to run around after them. You have supported them but lack of bother is not your job.

[E_G_R2]

Its the HOD who is against it! Quite a few of the MFL staff who have worked elsewhere would rather use recorders but the HOD cuts them down.

 

Problem is that a few years ago there were 4 of us and we could afford to chase around after things like this. Now its 2 people and we are spread more thinly.

[TechMonkey]

That's what I mean. Make it the HoDs issue. Hand over the kit and say they need to setup and train the staff as it is now a departmental issue, not an IT issue. I say that with not much of a hope it actually taking but they need to live by their decisions.

[DrBeaker]

...Already had 3 fails. .

 

 

One the microphone wasn't turned on and the laptop mic barely recorded it.

 

Operator error, not technical error.

 

Another where they got interference, we think from the mic cable being loose and covering the recording in white noise

 

Operator error, not technical error. They know how to fill up their car at the petrol pump yes?, Not half-in, half-out etc.

 

and finally not exporting the file to the right location then having a meltdown when they couldn't find it.

 

THIS ... is clearly Operator error in my book, Not ANYWAY a technical error. If degree and Masters holding staff can't perform a simple file save operation I'd question them and HR on their "Good IT skills" then there.

 

There is also the problem that we have to show them every time there are exams how to use Audacity

 

THIS ... is clearly Operator error again in my book, Not ANYWAY a technical error. They have a degree but can't follow instructions? Hmmmm.....

 

That's what I mean. Make it the HoDs issue. Hand over the kit and say they need to setup and train the staff as it is now a departmental issue, not an IT issue. I say that with not much of a hope it actually taking but they need to live by their decisions.

 

Yep. Sure others have seen it far far FAR too often teachers pass the buck for something THEY are responsible for doing as part of their job. Do you come and logon to their laptop, prepare their lesson for the day for them - as it involves a computer?

 

You need to push back and tell them to get used to it and it's their responsibility once handed over.

[KK20]

MP3 capable dictaphones. Files get renamed after the exams. The microphones are good quality and they just work. It could be argued that teachers are not responsible for setting up equipment for external exams. That buck stops with the IT department in our school, we get given the specs and timetables for exams, special requirements of equipment etc. We set up the dictaphones, laptops, enable exam logons etc. Edited May 10, 2024 by KK20

[E_G_R2]

MP3 capable dictaphones. Files get renamed after the exams. The microphones are good quality and they just work. It could be argued that teachers are not responsible for setting up equipment for external exams. That buck stops with the IT department in our school, we get given the specs and timetables for exams, special requirements of equipment etc. We set up the dictaphones, laptops, enable exam logons etc.

 

We set it up but I think there is still an expectancy from MFL that someone will sit in and hold their hand. A throwback to when we had 4 people not 2.