Introduction
You may already know that Keynote is a powerful type of slideware. And here in Goochland, we have versions of Keynote on iPad and on our Macs. The animation, drawing and graphic features inside Keynote allow for a wide range of usage. In this post you will learn how adding sound and utilizing the voice over feature in Keynote can enhance projects and presentations.
For example, students are focusing on vocabulary words. The student could insert an image or word in a large font and then voice over the slide with the definition or example. Students could also use voice recordings to practice for a presentation to the class. Recorded sessions can even be exported as movies and shared. See below for more on making movies in Keynote.
Getting Started
Now, how does one add a voice recording? I’ll share how to do this on your iPad. Once Keynote is open, on the slide you wish to add the recording, touch the plus icon and select the far right option with the picture. Here you can add photos, videos, the camera tool, or record audio. This is also the same place you can add a drawing. Once you select, record audio, you can then record your audio, stop and then preview or edit. You can resume and add to the recording for a slide. Once you are ready, select Insert to add the audio. You will see a sound icon appear on your screen. If that icon is selected, you can select the format tool (paint brush), and audio to determine when the audio clip will play.
In the following example, we have created a Keynote template. Students can then duplicate the slides to put in vocabulary words. As the presentation is run, the English translation of bajar is revealed and another click starts the audio recording. As in the example above, we added the audio of bajar by going to Insert > Record Audio. By right-clicking on the play button, you can also trim your recording.
In the example provided, the sound plays when the user clicks the slide or advances the slide with the arrow keys. But you can also have the audio play automatically when the slide loads. Under Format, visit the Audio section and un-check “start audio on click” after selecting your audio clip on the slide.
Using Voice Recordings in Multiple Subjects
What are some ways I can use this feature with my students? How about interviews? Students can create interview questions and then record the answers. Making recordings of students reading can help them develop fluency and to reinforce hearing their own voice. This would be a beneficial practice for early readers and ELL students. Students could also narrate a story so teachers can read the invented print. With a little shift in design thinking, students can become creative experts within Keynote.
And with the example linked above, Keynote’s audio support allows students to record vocabulary words, math facts that are drawn, and more.
Thinking About An Audience
With Keynote, an entire slide presentation can be recorded and exported (as Keynote files, or as movies). These could be used as podcast episodes or just as recorded practice. For instance, a band student could screenshot music into a slide then record themselves playing the music depicted in the slide. Or, teachers could record a slide presentation with audio for review, shared with the class within Schoology as a movie.
Go to Play > Record Slideshow to record audio over the entire presentation. Once you’ve recorded, you can then export your presentation as a movie. Go to File > Export then choose the movie option.
Your movie can then be placed within your learning management system, Google Drive, or even uploaded to YouTube.
