5.4
Choosing technologies for supporting audio and video work

One of the reasons that teachers frequently give for not doing more audio and video work with classes is that they feel they cannot rely on the technology required. However, recent important changes mean this is becoming less of an issue, as the conventional analogue recording/play-back technologies of audio and video tape are being replaced by digital technologies delivered through a computer.

In this section, we briefly discuss some of the potential and limitations of these two different technologies.

Reflection task 17

What might be the advantages and disadvantages of using

  • conventional analogue recordings on tape (audio cassettes and video cassettes)?

  • digital recordings delivered through a computer (eg by CD or via the Web)?

Note down a few ideas before reading the discussion below.