I have always been fascinated by emerging technologies and how I could incorporate them into my teaching practice. I was excited to have the opportunity to deliver an object-based micro-teaching session; for this class, I chose a binaural microphone as the object, to teach about binaural recording. Binaural recording is a type of audio recording that captures sound in a way that mimics how it is perceived by human ears, creating a three-dimensional sound environment that can be reproduced using headphones.
Firstly, I found that preparing for the micro-teaching session was a valuable learning experience in itself. To effectively teach others about binaural recording, I needed to deepen my own understanding of the topic and develop a clear, concise and fast way to communicate it to others in the classroom. This required me to do extensive research on the technology and do some experiments with recording and mixing binaural audio.
One of the biggest challenges I faced in preparing for the micro-teaching session was finding the right balance between technical information and practical application; how deep I should go into the tech. While it was essential to convey the technical aspects of binaural recordings, such as microphone placement and techniques, I also wanted to make sure that the participants had a chance to experiment with recording and listening to binaural audio themselves. To achieve this balance, I decided to split the micro-teaching session into two parts: a presentation on the theory and technology of binaural recording, followed by a hands-on listening experiment with a binaural microphone active in the classroom.
During the micro-teaching session, I found that the participants were engaged and enthusiastic about experimenting with binaural recording themselves. I believed I provided the necessary technical information and creative uses of the technology for sound and music production, as well as some uses in sound archival and sound ecology practices.
The main feedback I received after the session was how I didn’t approach inclusivity in the micro-teaching session. The tech and the way that binaural reproduction is intended to listen is with two ears. Something I need to incorporate in my class is the acknowledgement that this method of recording and listening will be different to every single one of us, even more with individuals with any hearing impairment. This made me realise that a lot of what I do in my teaching practice has to do with listening, and I need to be more conscious about the acknowledgement and inclusivity of everyone.
Overall, I found delivering the micro-teaching session about binaural recording to be a rewarding and valuable experience. It allowed me to deepen my understanding of the topic while also reflecting on my practice. I was content with the feedback given by my peers and tutor. I will carry this lesson with me into future teaching and learning experiences.
