Transcribing Audio

A silver standing microphone, ready to record sound
Photo by Claus Grünstäudl on Unsplash

When working with audio on the web, it’s critical to transcribe the audio. Transcription can help a large variety of individuals based on their individual needs. 

Examples of helpful uses of transcriptions

There are multiple reasons to transcribe audio, such as (but not limited to):

  • A student is in a situation where they can not listen to audio, such as a workplace, a bus or train, or late at night.
  • Transcription can help individuals improve their vocabulary, and improve pronunciation if listening and reading at the same time.
  • The language of the audio clip may not be the native language of the listener. In this case, transcription helps with learning language.
  • An individual may have a disability, such as deafness, and needs the transcription to know what is spoken.

How to transcribe

Audio transcriptions are created in two different ways:

  1. An audio clip was created from a written script. In this case, the script (if accurate versus the audio) is the transcription. The script can be uploaded to a web page or Canvas location along with the audio clip.
  2. An audio clip was created without a script. The creator, or a designated individual/service, must listen to their audio and type it out into a text document.

Transcriptions must be created as text documents, such as a basic text format (.txt) or Word document (.doc or .docx). Adobe PDFs are not recommended due to unforeseen accessibility issues not found in other text formats.

Posting transcriptions with audio

To post a transcription, simply upload it alongside any audio created. For example, place your audio clip first, then a link to the transcription below it.

Module 2 Intro Audio Transcript

In Canvas, create audio using the media recorder or upload an audio file through the media recorder. After this is completed, use the insert content pane on the right side of any visual editor to locate and add the transcription file. Be sure to name the file clearly.

Questions? We can help!

Check out our upcoming calendar of accessibility workshops!

Want to know more about accessibility? Contact us.