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Soundtrap
Pros: Collaborative creation and cross-platform access includes mobile devices.
Cons: Extensive options and controls may be overwhelming to novice sound creators.
Bottom Line: Soundtrap is a uniquely collaborative sound-production environment, but if you want the top-quality EDU version, you have to pay top dollar.
Teachers of all subjects can use Soundtrap for audio projects. In addition to music composition, teachers can use Soundtrap for storytelling/personal narrative, poetry reading, readers theater, interviews, and podcasting. Autogenerated and interactive transcripts offer a unique text-based way to edit and review voice recordings, making Soundtrap a great tool for non-musical projects. Of course, with thousands of loops and instruments, Soundtrap is a great tool for music composition, too.
Teachers can offer feedback and support through chat or video calls and can assign projects through a link shared with students or via Google Classroom (or other LMS) integration. When students open up the project assignment, a copy of the project is created for each student and includes the teacher. This allows for in-progress review and feedback. Teachers can use the collaboration feature to connect with their professional learning networks (PLNs) and can also have students work with other classes across the world.
Soundtrap is a digital audio workstation accessed in any web browser or through a mobile app (Chrome, iOS, and Android). Similar to other digital recording options, it includes prerecorded loops, multitrack recording, software instruments, voice recording, and the ability to connect MIDI devices. Where Soundtrap differs is in its support of collaboration through integrated chat and video calls. To see changes during collaboration, a simple sync updates the project.
All work is done "in the cloud," so a strong internet connection is required for use. The free Basic version gives users access to the digital workstation but isn't in compliance with kids' safety standards. EDU accounts include a teacher admin screen, which allows for management of groups (classes), students, and assignments, plus extensive classroom resources. The EDU account also promises safe collaboration in a walled-garden environment for students. For EDU users, signup is integrated with Microsoft Student, Google, Facebook, or email. Soundtrap EDU integrates with Noteflight and Flat, and also with LMS platforms like Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, and MusicFirst.
Soundtrap offers professional-quality resources and may be too complex for casual users or simple projects. If students have never used audio mixing software before, the plethora of options can be overwhelming and the learning curve is a little steep. However, there are plenty of video tutorials to help teachers and students get started creating and sharing. Unlike many popular sound mixing tools that require specific hardware (like GarageBand), Soundtrap is cloud-based, offers unlimited storage, and works on any device, as long as internet access isn't an issue for students. Teachers should think twice before using Soundtrap Basic just because it's free; it doesn't give students the privacy and safety protection of Soundtrap EDU, plus it lacks a teacher dashboard for management and collaboration. Instead, they should consider trying a Soundtrap EDU free trial or short-term subscription to see if it's the right tool for their classroom.
Learning Rating
Community Rating
What a program! Truly for all ages Kindergarten on up! Simple at its base with tons of advanced options - music making at its best!
This program gives students an emotional outlet and creative choice in demonstrating learned content, collaborating, application with higher level thinking skills, plays to different ability levels, musician or non-musician - there's something for everyone. The possibilities are endless! Better yet, teachers don't need to know a lot about music to let the kids loose - it's very user-friendly. The tool seems simple at its base, nestling the intense, advance features deeper into the program in places that make sense for students who are ready for those tools to be able to find and use them.
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