1、英语八下外研版 Module 4：教学资源库 Teaching resources 教学资源库 I. How to use MP3?MP3 is the best known and most widely used format in portable players. However, some players also handle Real Audio, MPEG and other formats. Some compression schemes, such as Windows Media Audio (WMA) and Liquid Audio, are generally p
2、layed back using PC hardware and software, rather than a portable device. Whether any of this stuff will play in your MP3 player is another matter some models may be compatible with a broad range of formats, while others may recognize only one or two standards.Getting startedMP3 players are bundled
3、with all the software youll need, including: Drivers that allow your computer to interface with the player A file-management program to help you sort song files “Ripper“ software for converting CD audio data to MP3 format.Its a good idea to check the manufacturers Web site for announcements of softw
4、are upgrades, which you can then download. The first step is to connect the player to your computer. Most MP3 players are PC-compatible and all of todays players use either Firewire or the USB format to transfer music from your computer. USB 2.0 and Firewire are much faster than USB, if your compute
5、r supports them. Once the units batteries have been fully charged and the software has been installed, its time to fill it up with tunes! If you already have MP3 files on your hard drive, you can simply transfer these into the players memory. Or you can use your computers CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive to
6、convert tracks from the CD format (technically called PCM audio) to MP3. Using compressionTo understand compression (consider it “data reduction“), you should see it in action. Try transferring the same track (preferably something from a well-recorded CD with voices and recognizable acoustic instrum
7、ents) at different rates of compression. The more compression you use, the more music you can fit into your player. Note, however, that increasing the compression level also means more sonic degradation. How noticeable this degradation is will vary depending on the music type, the headphones or spea
8、kers youre using, the amount of background noise, and of course on the sensitivity of your ears. A little experimentation can help to determine which level of compression works best for you.Upgrading your MP3 playerThe headphones supplied with your player are usually subpar, so upgrading them may he
9、lp the sound. The little preamps built in to MP3 players, however, can be even weaker than those built in to portable CD players so be sure to check how much volume the new headphones can muster with your unit before buying. Also, the inherent limits of the format especially at more extreme compress
10、ion rates will become more apparent through better headphones. This, in turn, might drive you toward an MP3 player with more memory so you can get away with less compression. Youre set! Start enjoying your digital tunes.So there you have it all you need to know to get started with your skip-free, po
11、rtable MP3 player. Go out and enjoy the great sound and convenience of digital music.II. Teens and technologies Todays American teens live in a world enveloped by communications technologies; the internet and cell phones have become a central force that fuels the rhythm of daily life. The number of
12、teenagers using the internet has grown 24% in the past four years and 87% of those between the ages of 12 and 17 are online. Compared to four years ago, teens use of the internet has intensified and broadened as they log on more often and do more things when they are online. Among other things, ther
13、e has been significant growth over the past four years in the number of teens who play games on the internet, get news, shop online, and get health information. Not only has the number of users increased, but also the variety of technologies that teens use to support their communication, research, a
14、nd entertainment desires has grown. These technologies enable a variety of methods and channels by which youth can communicate with one another as well as with their parents and other authorities. Email, once the cutting edge “killer app,” is losing its privileged place among many teens as they expr
15、ess preferences for instant messaging (IM) and text messaging as ways to connect with their friends. In focus groups, teens described their new environment. To them, email is increasingly seen as a tool for communicating with “adults” such as teachers, institutions like schools, and as a way to conv
16、ey lengthy and detailed information to large groups. Meanwhile, IM is used for everyday conversations with multiple friends that range from casual to more serious and private exchanges. It is also used as a place of personal expression. Through buddy icons or other customization of the look and feel of IM communications, teens can express and differentiate themselves. Other instant messaging tools allow for the posting of personal profiles, or even “away” messages, durable signals posted when a user is away from the computer but wishes to remain connected to their IM network.
