wireless computer mic for classroom lecture capture?
by Robert Slenker
on
May 16, 2008 at 3:21:06 pm
Hi folks,
I need recommendations for a microphone that I can begin adding to some of our higher ed model classrooms so our professors can begin to capture their course lectures and produce podcasts (or enhanced podcasts) of them for the web.
It needs to be a wireless lav-type unit so they are free to roam around the room while lecturing.
A friend suggested going w/ a USB bluetooth headset which sounds cool but I am hoping for a lavaliere-type mic since "who wants to stick a bluetooth headset in their ear after the previous professor had it in his/her ear and hour ago?"
Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'd like to keep these mics under $100 or so.
Re: wireless computer mic for classroom lecture capture? by Anthony Gettig on Jul 24, 2008 at 4:09:36 pm
Well, I know this is kind of an old thread, but I have to chime in with what has worked for me. At least for the historical record.
I have an M-Audio Microtrak that works really well. It records to compact flash in wave and mp3 format. I use a $30 lav mic from Radio Shack, set the Hold switch on the Microtrak, and have the speaker tuck the recorder in their pocket. I have used this in an elementary classroom and for adult seminars.
Post production is a cinch. Just bring the wav or mp3 into your editor (or run it through Levelator first THEN into your editor), trim and edit as necessary, and POOF! it's ready for use as a soundtrack, podcast, whatever.
Re: wireless computer mic for classroom lecture capture? by Robert Slenker on Jul 24, 2008 at 5:00:35 pm
Thanks for the post Anthony. I'm not sure that device would suit our needs. If so, we could just use our iPods & Belkin TuneTalk mics to record audio files. The instructor could wear it in their front shirt pocket or in one of those clear sleeves on string that folks wear around their necks for admittance into trade shows and such.
No, we need a mic that hooks up to a PC (maybe via USB or bluetooth) that is portable. This way, we could open up SMART or Camtasia's screen capture software and could capture audio plus a PC's desktop display. We can do this w/ stationary PC mics where an instructor would stay at the podium but I'm thinking a lot of instructors would want to do some annotation on a display tablet, talk, walk around, talk, come back to the display tablet, etc. Record their whole lecture, w/ audio and Powerpoint, etc. then throw it on the web...with no editing.
Re: wireless computer mic for classroom lecture capture? by Anthony Gettig on Jul 24, 2008 at 5:15:58 pm
Aha! I gotcha. We are getting several SmartBoards this year and I can see how this would be useful. If I come up with something, I will post it here. If you find a way to do this, please do post your results! :)
Re: wireless computer mic for classroom lecture capture? by Robert Slenker on Jul 24, 2008 at 5:30:31 pm
Thanks. I'm thinking a little usb or bluetooth headset generally designed for folks to use w/ AIM of Skype may fit the bill. (Maybe something from Logitech or Plantronics.) Just haven't bought one yet to try it out. Was hoping someone had some experience and could recommend a good, reasonably priced one since we may be putting these in a few classrooms.
Re: wireless computer mic for classroom lecture capture? by Erin Flanagan on Aug 1, 2008 at 3:10:23 pm
I've been looking for something similar and found PLANTRONICS CS-50 USB WIRELESS MICROPHONE and REVOLABS USB XTAG WIRELESS MICROPHONE. Both come with a $240 price tag but might fit the bill. I have not tried either. I too am interested to hear from someone who has used one in the classroom especially if you found one for less than $100!
