Voices surround us. People talk with us. We watch television shows where people talk. We listen to radio and podcasts. We even have our smartphones speak to us when needed. Yet, have you thought about how those voices impact you and your focus in that moment? The voice used can make a difference. Just think about how you can change the type of voice and accent your smartphone can use! Certainly you have reasons for the ones you choose.
Now if we take voices, and our reactions to them, and tie that into eLearning, we can start to look at why some people might struggle with online learning. Some of the voices are monotone. Some are rushed. Some just hit the learner the wrong way. That can all be corrected for stronger eLearning when it comes to absorbing and remembering the content, instead of focusing on the annoying voice or voices presenting the material.
We here at The Learning Network take careful consideration when it comes to voices for narration within our online courses, but that doesn’t mean you can’t either in your own recording of information. Here are some tips on how to give your voice a stronger presence in any materials you record:
Practice! Recording of a voice narration shouldn’t be a one-take process. Instead it should include practicing your material before you even hit the record button. In fact, you can even stop your recording and restart it at any point.
Sound conversational! Few of us like to hear what we sound like on a recording, but it is an important part of the recording process. As you record yourself, consider taking the time to listen to what you sound like. Do you sound monotone? Do you emphasize certain words or phrases? Do you sound dull? Do you sound inviting to listen and learn?
Pace yourself! Some of us talk naturally in a rushed way. Others talk very slowly. When you are recording your voice, be sure to pace yourself. Of course, you want to keep in mind any time elements or constraints, but you also want to be okay with slight pauses that cause momentary silence.
Situational awareness! Consider where you are recording yourself. The background noise, also known as ambient noise, can be very distracting to a learner. Instead, make sure you are in a quiet area where you can record without extra noises in the background. This may include letting others know you are recording so they also are quiet.
Of course, we are happy to talk with you about all these tips and the role of voices within your eLearning courses. It is just one more area that can help strengthen your online learning opportunities!
