Educational Outcomes
- Students will compose a digital symphony by creating a soundscape.
- Students will learn the traditional descriptive essay mode.
- Students will draw from personal and professional experience for inspiration.
- Students will reflect upon their soundscapes.
- Students will respond to their classmates’ soundscapes.
- Students will develop technical skills.
- Students will hone communication skills.
- Students will apply knowledge, skills, and values learned from this project to new situations.
Preparation
- The instructor teaches the traditional descriptive essay, exposing students to amateur and professional examples.
- The instructor introduces the soundscape in light of Bernie Krause’s “The Voice of the Natural World” (TED Talk).
- The instructor explores the history of soundscapes so that students appreciate this medium.
- Students experience soundscapes.
- The instructor introduces the value of soundscapes and the ethical responsibilities of soundscapers.
Activity
- Students explore the sections of a classical orchestra to learn the value and contribution of each section.
- Students listen to a symphony in order to identify the qualities, characteristics, and impact of each orchestra section.
- Students select a place, setting, or environment to record at different times of day and night.
- Students edit the recordings to compose a digital symphony, limiting it to five minutes.
- Students write a two-page description of the symphony, detailing the qualities, characteristics, and impact of certain “sections” of sounds.
- Students play their digital symphonies in class.
- The instructor facilities discussion/debate in order to identify changes in students’ attitudes, beliefs, and/or behaviors.