Association for Biology Laboratory Education

The Use of the Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds to Supplement Labs and Field Work
 

Kathleen A. Nolan, Kwun Chan, Afia Azaah, Kristy Biolosi, & Allen Burdowski

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2016, Volume 37

Poster file:

Abstract

Our students have been playing recordings from the Macaulay Library of Cornell University of natural sounds and videos (http:macaulaylibrary.org) while simultaneously recording with the sound recording program Audacity. In this way they can analyze number of vocalizations per a certain time period, the range of frequency of the sounds, as well as other parameters. This data has been used for compare/contrast scenarios in their own live recordings of vocalizations of sea lions from zoos and aquaria. The students have been able to hear recordings of animals (including sea lions) from places such as New Zealand and the Galapagos that are currently inaccessible to them in person.

Keywords:  sound recordings, sound library, vocalizations

Boston University (2015)