New
New
Year 4

Recording sounds

I can name devices used to listen to and play audio, and create my own audio recording using key features.

New
New
Year 4

Recording sounds

I can name devices used to listen to and play audio, and create my own audio recording using key features.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A microphone is an input device used to record sound.
  2. Audio software can be used to record, edit and playback sound.
  3. Speakers and headphones are output devices used to play back audio.

Keywords

  • Microphone - an input device used to record sound

  • Audio - sound that has been recorded on a digital device

  • Speaker / headphones - output devices used to play audio

Common misconception

Any digital device can play audio.

In order for a digital device to play audio it needs to have an appropriate output device. These are sometimes in-built in the device but for some devices they may need to be attached separately.


To help you plan your year 4 computing lesson on: Recording sounds, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Supplement the podcast examples with other freely-available resources you have access to. Pupils benefit from hearing a range of different examples to help influence what they will record themselves.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pupils need access to audio editing software and hardware that can be used play and record audio. Examples in this lesson use Audacity https://oak.link/audacity

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What device is used to record sound?

keyboard
mouse
speaker
Correct answer: microphone

Q2.
Which device is used to play back sound?

printer
Correct answer: speaker
microphone
monitor

Q3.
What is the main purpose of background music in audio recordings?

to distract the listener
to replace people speaking
Correct answer: to enhance the mood or atmosphere
to make the recording longer

Q4.
What is a voice-over?

background music
a sound effect
Correct answer: somebody speaking added to a recording
an echo in the recording

Q5.
Which of these is NOT an example of sound editing?

adding background music
changing the volume of a voice
removing unwanted noise
Correct answer: writing a script

Q6.
Match the device to its function:

Correct Answer:microphone,captures sound

captures sound

Correct Answer:speaker,plays sound

plays sound

Correct Answer:computer,processes sound

processes sound

Correct Answer:headphones,plays sound privately

plays sound privately

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is audio?

images on a screen
Correct answer: sound recorded on a digital device
text in a document
videos on a website

Q2.
Match the terms to their definitions:

Correct Answer:microphone,input device used to capture sound

input device used to capture sound

Correct Answer:audio,sound recorded on a digital device

sound recorded on a digital device

Correct Answer:speaker,output device used to play sound

output device used to play sound

Correct Answer:background music,music added to audio for atmosphere

music added to audio for atmosphere

Q3.
What is required for a digital device to play audio?

a keyboard
a printer
an input device
Correct answer: an output device

Q4.
What is the purpose of editing audio?

to change colours in an image
to write text
Correct answer: to remove or adjust parts of the sound
to play a video

Q5.
Which type of software can be used to record and edit audio?

Correct answer: Audacity
graphic design software
word processor
web browser

Q6.
Put the steps in order for recording audio on Audacity:

1 - open Audacity software
2 - press the record button
3 - speak or play sound into the microphone
4 - press the stop button when finished
5 - delete parts of the audio clip