Embedding Audio in Moodle

Embedding Audio in Moodle

You can easily include audio (embed) into Moodle activities and resources, including pages, books and quizzes.

Recording using Moodle’s TinyMCE Editor

TinyMCE is a powerful rich-text editor that allows users to create formatted content within a user-friendly interface. It is the default text-editor in LSE Moodle.

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Step 1: Initiate the audio recorder

Identify and click the ‘microphone' button in the TinyMCE Editor, as shown below; this will open the audio recorder interface.

tiny_mce_audio_recorder.png

Step 2: Start recording

In the “Record audio” window, click the “Start recording” button to begin recording your audio.

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Step 3: Stop recording

While recording, a timer will be displayed to indicate the length of your current recording. Please be aware that a time limit may be in place for your Moodle course. You can pause and resume recording at any point and, when you are happy, click the button to “Stop recording”.

tiny_mce_audio_record_stop.png

Step 4: Review and attach/re-record

Moodle’s TinyMCE editor gives you the option to review the recording and either re-record or, if you are happy, to finish the process by clicking the “Attach recording” button to end.

tiny_mce_audio_record_attach_or_rerecord.png

Third party audio content

If you don’t own the audio, you must link to it in your text.

Important: as with any other resource, copyright law means you cannot upload audio files: if it doesn’t belong to you, you have to link to it, even if you’ve paid a license for software to download videos.

You will need:

  • A link to the audio. If possible, link to an audio that provides a transcript.

  • A transcript. If there isn’t a transcript available on your link, either:

    • make a transcript

    • summarise the main ideas for students who cannot access the audio.

Step 1: prepare the transcript

You can skip to step 2 if:

  • The transcript is available in the audio’s web page.

  • You are providing a summary of the main ideas for students who cannot access the audio.

If you are adding a transcript yourself:

1.1 Add the transcript as a file

Add the transcript to your course as a hidden file. See our guide on adding files.

In Common module settings, select ‘Hide on course page’.

Scroll down and click on Save and display.

1.2 Copy the link to the transcript file

Right-click on the link to the file and copy it; you will need this link later.

Step 2: adding the link to the audio

2.1 Adding a link

In your content, write the text you want to link.

Please make sure you use a meaningful link. For example: “Listen to Ted Tech’s The tech we need to fight workplace ageism”.

Click on the Link button.

Paste the link to the audio in the Enter a URL box and click on Create link.

2.2 Add a link to the transcript

Press enter to create a new line of text and add a line with a link to the transcript. For example: “You can also access the transcript.”

Add a summary of the main ideas if no transcript is available on the audio’s website and you can’t create one.

Select the words you want to link and click on the Link button.

Paste the link to the transcript in the Enter a URL box and click on Create link.

Continue writing.  When done, scroll down and click Save and return to course as normal.

Your own audio file or an audio file you own.

If you want to embed audio files you have made or own, do so directly on Moodle.

You will need:

  • The audio file.

  • A transcript. If you don’t have a transcript available:

Step 1: prepare the transcript

1.1 Add the transcript as a file

Add the transcript to your course as a hidden file. See our guide on adding files.

In Common module settings, select ‘Hide on course page’.

Scroll down and click on Save and display.

1.2 Copy the link to the transcript file

Right-click on the link to the file and copy it; you will need this link later.

Step 2: Adding the audio

2.1 Insert the audio

If you have been writing, press enter to create a new line.

On the editor’s navigation bar, click on the Multimedia button.

Important: don’t use this button to embed videos. Please see our guidance on embedding videos.

In the pop-up window, go to Audio and click on Browse repositories.

In the File picker pop-up window, in Upload a file, click on Choose file. Search for the audio file and select it.

Once the file is attached, click on Upload this file.

You will be taken back to the Insert Media pop-up window. Click on Insert media.

Important: for accessibility best practice, don’t enable Autoplay in the advanced settings.

An audio player will appear on your text editor.

2.2 Add a link to the transcript

If you don’t have a transcript and can’t create one, consider summarising the main ideas for students who cannot access the video.

Press enter to create a new line of text and add a line with a link to the transcript.

Write your text. For example: “You can also access the transcript.”

Select the words you want to link and click on the Link button.

Paste the link to the transcript in the Enter a URL box and click on Create link.

Continue writing.  

When done, scroll down and click Save and return to course as normal.

Your audio will display within your written text.