MP3 Simplified For the Every Teacher Bonnie Furnanz Savannah Christian Middle School Savannah, Ga.

           Leslie Fisher, 2006 GaETC presenter, was an outstanding speaker who was well organized and extremely knowledgeable. Her presentation on “MP3: Been Wanting to Dive into the World of MP3s?” provided an overview of what MP3s are, how to get them, how to play them on a computer, CD, or MP3 player, how to download MP3s legally and safely, and how to use MP3s in the classroom.

What is an MP3?
MP3 is a type of file just like a Microsoft Word document (.doc) only it ends with .mp3 instead of .doc.  Microsoft suggests using iTunes to transfer audio files to a MP3 format.
Some advantages:

1. song files size becomes 1/10 the size of an audio CD
2. hundreds of MP3s then can fit onto one audio CD or be played with a MP3 player

Where do MP3s come from and can you use your own personal CDs to create MP3?
You can create MP3 files from your own personal CD collection by importing them into a program like iTunes. Listen, organize (create play lists), download, burn your own special selection of songs and pod casts to listen to on an MP3 player. You can actually store your entire CD collection on your hard drive in a MP3 format which, of course, takes up relatively little space on your computer.  Wouldn’t this be great for playing music without CD swapping at your computer? You can also use online services to buy and download legal MP3s.

How to Get MP3s Online?
MP3 files can be downloaded from the Internet using a web browser or the MP3 software that came with your MP3 player. Most browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Netscape, etc.) all have an MP3 plug-in. A MP3 file is downloaded just like you would download a PDF file or any other type document. MP3 files can be downloaded as “streaming” or “file based.” “Streaming” means that the file stays on the remote server you are getting it from and all that downloads to your machine is a pointer file. As long as that file is on the server at that location, you can listen to it by clicking on the pointer file. “File based” means the entire file is sent to your machine and you can listen to the file whenever you want.  

Are there many ways and many places to find MP3s Online?
iTunes by Apple is one of the most popular programs used to find and to buy MP3s on line. There are many more programs you can choose from such as Napster, Music Match, and Wal-Mart just to name a few. Most of these programs charge about 99 cents per song or $9.99 per album to buy music online.

Legal or Illegal Music Files?
Royalty free MP3 are perfect for background music, etc. The best royalty free site is freeplaymusic.com. It has a large library of various music types that are downloaded as MP3. Do not do illegal swapping of MP3 files. The government has a special department that monitors the illegal production of MP3s. You could pay fines up to $3000 to settle a suit concerning illegal MP3s.

Can you take your MP3 with you?
You can purchase an MP3 player (iPod, Zune, etc.) and download your songs to the player. On average a 1 gig MP3 player will hold up to 250 of your songs. Some MP3 players are so big they will hold 10,000 songs, pod casts and your pictures. According to Leslie Fisher, the most popular and dependable MP3 Player at this time is the iPod by Apple. (www.apple.com/ipod for more information)

Now, what can I do in the classroom with MPs3?
A few ideas:

1. You can easily create one CD of all your student’s presentation, plays or musicals.
2. You can create a student-run radio station to create pod casts for all the students to download and listen to at home or elsewhere.
3. You can create lessons for homebound students to listen to on their MP3 players.
4. You can use your imagination to create a multitude of applications for this very versatile technology.

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