{"id":38619,"date":"2025-03-27T10:14:34","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T09:14:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/?p=38619"},"modified":"2026-04-22T09:28:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T07:28:08","slug":"open-call-to-contribute-to-our-new-media-and-learning-community-sound-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/subject\/higher-education\/open-call-to-contribute-to-our-new-media-and-learning-community-sound-map\/","title":{"rendered":"Open call to contribute to our new Media and Learning community sound map"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>by <strong>Lucy Kendra<\/strong>, Heriot-Watt Online, UK.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Hearing is a way of&nbsp;touching at\u200b a distance<strong>.\u200b<\/strong><\/em> \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/monoskop.org\/images\/d\/d4\/Schafer_R_Murray_The_Soundscape_Our_Sonic_Environment_and_the_Tuning_of_the_World_1994.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Soundscape<\/a>\u2019, Murray Schafer (1977).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In support of our mission to <a href=\"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/subject\/av-technologies\/lets-get-serious-about-sound\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">get serious about sound<\/a>, we\u2019ve created a collaborative <a href=\"https:\/\/padlet.com\/lkendra1\/media-and-learning-community-sound-map-aye1xodir5sdh3pi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sound map<\/a> for Media and Learning Association members. We invite you to post short field recordings of environment(s) related to your life and work. Think of your posts in this context as \u2018sound postcards\u2019 that capture sonic spaces meaningful to you. Discover and experience fellow members\u2019 postcards by exploring the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Field recording involves capturing audio recordings outside traditional studio environments &#8211; either indoor or outdoor &#8211; &nbsp;encompassing both natural sounds and those created by humans. How you choose to record (and\/or edit) your work, is up to you \u2013 we welcome all approaches.&nbsp; Everyone within a member organization can take part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now and ongoing (since launch in April 2025). Additionally, live and recorded Media and Learning events and presentations occasionally include material from the sound map &#8211; with your permission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To get started, simply follow the prompts at this <a href=\"https:\/\/padlet.com\/lkendra1\/media-and-learning-community-sound-map-aye1xodir5sdh3pi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Padlet<\/a> link.&nbsp; Or read on for further guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create up to three minutes of sound content. The platform accepts up to 20mb per file, so .mp3 format is potentially more achievable, though we\u2019d prefer uncompressed .wav files wherever possible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visit the map, click on the plus sign (bottom right) and complete the fields as prompted. Some prompts are essential for upload (starred), others are optional.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hint: once published, clicking the edit button &#8211; three dots, top right of your post &#8211; will allow you to amend your location with greater accuracy, via the location field.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add (optional) corresponding photographs or videos in a separate post<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To see example posts on the map, search for Laguna, Brazil or Riccarton, Edinburgh in the top right search bar of the Padlet \u2013 or click on these direct links to the posts: <a href=\"https:\/\/padlet.com\/hwomedia\/media-and-learning-community-sound-map-aye1xodir5sdh3pi\/wish\/mDRxWB48VpnLQjb1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Laguna, Brazil<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/padlet.com\/hwomedia\/media-and-learning-community-sound-map-aye1xodir5sdh3pi\/wish\/Xb8YaL417AEEayn1\">Riccarton Estate, Edinburgh<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Connect with our global &#8211; and growing \u2013 community through the affordances of sound<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contribute to a live learning lab for research and future initiatives; you\u2019ll be prompted to give appropriate licensing and attribution details)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expand your network; you&#8217;ll be prompted to add an email address for contact (and we encourage you to explore Media and Learning\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/series\/special-interest-groups\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">special interest groups<\/a> (SIGs) too)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop and enhance your skills in listening, recording and editing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Notes on recording<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While higher-quality recorders and microphones will generally yield better results, even a thoughtfully recorded clip on a smartphone can produce effective outcomes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If possible, record in stereo for richer sound; those more adventurous (or experienced) may wish to experiment with ambisonic or 360\u00b0 recording equipment for a truly immersive experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wind is often the biggest challenge when recording outdoors. A windshield is, therefore, an important tool &#8211; whether it\u2019s designed for microphones, smartphones, or even a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EWfiVKHsD4Y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DIY solution<\/a>. Using one can make a significant difference in capturing clean, clear audio outside.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is much guidance and support \u2018out there\u2019. Here\u2019s one <a href=\"https:\/\/acousticnature.com\/journal?category=Instructional\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instructional resource,<\/a> and some <a href=\"https:\/\/citiesandmemory.com\/2014\/03\/ten-top-simple-field-recording-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tips on field recordings<\/a> from the creators of <a href=\"https:\/\/citiesandmemory.com\/?utm_source=Google&amp;utm_medium=2023&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAomjuSD8uQ4ravjvkGOCiCcNjXY6L&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAvvO7BhC-ARIsAGFyToU6u6OrbiQgDBpu6MoGcWvBRVuyiBASnSicUUPHbWPZQI7MdPPidAkaAgiFEALw_wcB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this sound map<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Further listening for wider context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Podcasts: <a href=\"https:\/\/fieldrecordings.xyz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Field Recordings<\/a>;&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/onbeing.org\/programs\/gordon-hempton-silence-and-the-presence-of-everything\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Silence and the Presence of Everything<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/programs\/invisibilia\/831286311\/the-last-sound\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Last Sound<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sound map: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.petestollery.com\/soundmap\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">People and Place<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the team<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This map is created and moderated by the Heriot-Watt Online media team, who work with image and sound to create learning experiences for fully online asynchronous degree programmes. They are interested in the ways in which media can be designed to promote a sense of connection for global and diverse online learning communities. For queries and discourse, or if you want to retract a post, contact them at <a href=\"mailto:hwomedia@hw.ac.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hwomedia@hw.ac.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:18% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"113\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/files\/2021\/01\/LucyK_2023.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34790 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>by <strong>Lucy Kendra<\/strong>, Heriot-Watt Online, UK. Lucy is the Chair of the AV in Higher Education Special Interest Group.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Lucy Kendra, Heriot-Watt Online, UK. Hearing is a way of&nbsp;touching at\u200b a distance.\u200b \u2018The Soundscape\u2019, Murray Schafer (1977). What In support of our mission to get serious about sound, we\u2019ve created a collaborative sound map for Media and Learning Association members. We invite you to post short field recordings of environment(s) related to your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":38620,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[270,4,275],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38619","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-av-technologies","category-featured-articles","category-higher-education"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/files\/2025\/03\/SOUND-MAP.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Dovile Dudenaite","author_link":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/author\/dovile-dudenaite\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38619","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38619"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38619\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46299,"href":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38619\/revisions\/46299"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38620"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38619"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38619"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/media-and-learning.eu\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38619"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}