Sound on the Web

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Sound on the Web

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Using sound on the internet can greatly benefit and enhance a webpage (Teachernet). Sounds, rather they be background, core content, or music, create mood, theme, and help define the usefulness of the site (Farkas 94).

Sounds can serve as core content. Sound can be used to introduce a site; either by music or a narrated welcome (Farkas 95). Narration can also serve as the content, like this site, or to help the viewer navigate the site and help the user make choices once viewing the site (Teachernet).

Sounds can also be background noises. Rather these sounds be music, sound effects, or narration, background noise can help the user by reinforcing the website’s content (Teachernet).

Narration is a very common way of adding sound to a webpage. As stated before, it can be used to welcome or introduce users to the website and can also give directions about how to use the website or inform or teach (Teachernet). But beware, using narration can be tricky.

When using narration, one must be aware of the quality of sound that is being produced. As Farkas and Farkas state, “There are great differences in voice quality.” Some people may have a good speaking voice, but when recorded, it may not be clear, sound correct, or even be audible. Farkas and Farkas suggest that when using narration find a “trained” narrator, a drama, or communications student to narrate. Typically, these people have been coached on how to speak clearly and how to use techniques to record content well (Farkas 95). However, in some situations this may not be the case. If you or a certain person is required to do the narration, be sure to practice and work on the content to fit your or their particular speaking and recording style (Farkas 95).

Supplemented sounds are typically background noises. These noises can be used to reinforce ideas, reward users, provide context or help explain ideas (Teachernet).

By providing sound to accompany graphics, the user is able link a graphic with the context it is presented in. Using sound in this manner would either help explain the graphic or the function of the graphic within the website (Teachernet). If sound is used in a navigational sense, the sound could alert the user as to where to go on the page or what they have already chosen to do. Also, sounds can help explain ideas or teach concepts (Teachernet).

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