1. [Case Studies] 2. [Resources - sounds for your web site] 3. [Music Education] 4. [Using the internet to play music] 5. [Streaming]

Sound can add interest and interactivity to your site. It is important to include sound only if it is going to add something to your site. Sound can be annoying especially if it is forced on listeners as a background sound. Give surfers the option of listening to the sound if at all possible. 

Don't forget too that sound could be important for improving accessibility for poor readers or readers with poor eye sight.

1. Case Studies

Rose Grove Nursery have a wonderful web site. It is an excellent learning resource and sound has been used to interest and motivate young learners. Includes a matching activity with sounds of farm animals and music to sing along to.

Department for Electronic Education - Leon Cych's Key Stage 1 Maths "movies" web site. The web site can be used as part of the numeracy hour on a whiteboard or large screen or as a standalone activity. Sound is used effectively for instance in naming coins as part of teaching money. When the child moves the mouse over a coin the coin is named using a voice over. 

St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, Wyken, Coventry - listen to the delightful singing of the children of St John Fisher Catholic Primary School. They have recorded their Carol Services and leaver assemblies. What a wonderful use of a web page! I am sure formers students from all over the globe will enjoy being "back" at their old school to listen to these assemblies. Keep up the good work! This is wonderful.

2. Resources

1. Free sounds for your web site and stories

http://www.thewavplace.com/kids.htm

2. Guide to Animal Sounds on the Net
The most amazing archive of animal sounds. Everything animal you can think of and more is here. 

http://members.tripod.com/Thryomanes/AnimalSounds.html

Important reminder
If you use any of the sounds do make sure you are entitled to do so. When in doubt, always assume that anything you find on the Web is protected by copyright. If you wish to use a sound it is only right that you contact the owner to ask permission to use it.

3. Music Education Web Site

http://www.musiced.org.uk/musiced.html

4. Using the Internet to play Music

How about using music on the net for the children to sing to? You will need a good set of speakers.

There are some good "rounds" at:

Marilyn Miller's Site

5. Streaming

I am experimenting with sound on the web. Streaming compresses your sound file and downloads little sound packets rather than having you download the whole sound file at once. To listen to my files you will need Real Player which you can download for free by clicking on the Real Player graphic below. Scroll down the page until you see the free download.

If you have Real Player click on the links  below and see what you think.

My first attempt at streaming - Te Deum - The original file was 3Mb but compressed it is 289K

Listen to me - This sound file was originally 626K file but compressed is now just 62K

Get Real Player

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