Radstock Primary School, Reading - Notate Case Study

Thanks to Erika Sebokova, Year 4 Teacher

Why did you choose Notate?

We decided to use Notate as this program is more advanced than the other programs we have in school and wanted something that would give the children more choices and challenges. By offering the children a more variety filled program they are able to learn further and gain more experience.

Who is using Notate?

I am using Notate with my Year 4 children at the moment.

What curriculum areas and /or objectives does Notate support in your school/organisation?

We tried this in our ‘Painting with sound’ unit when the children composed their mood music. I would like to use this program for our unit on pentatonic scales. Notate works alongside the school’s curriculum areas and objectives at getting the children more involved with ICT but in a much more interactive way.

In your opinion, does Notate support the development of learners’ higher order skills such as thinking and problem solving skills?

As it is a new program, the children have been exploring it with great interest. Notate definitely makes them think about options and possibilities. Notate gives the children the choice to work at their own levels and gain skills in their own pace. They are also able to learn from their own experiences which give them the skills of problem solving and making their own decisions.

What do pupils think about Notate?

They have enjoyed making up their own compositions and being able to choose different instruments, this was a great success. They enjoy using Notate as they feel they accomplish real achievements when they hear their compositions playing back to them.

How has Notate supported your effective teaching?

Children were involved and as they listened to their music, they could decide if they liked the tune/ harmonies and tried to improve it with some success. The children ask for help when they feel they need it but they often enjoy working things out for themselves and gain a great sense of achievement in doing so.

How would you say Notate enhances learners’ experience?

The children have been more involved in music making, which needs to be a greater part of our schemes in school. Getting the children more involved in this boosts their own confidence and allows them to work at their own pace while gaining a large amount of experience and knowledge.

They have also been encouraged to use the pentatonic scale with C doh in order to achieve pleasant tunes and the children get the chance to listen to a wide variety of instruments which otherwise would not be possible. Notate has enhanced the children’s learning and skills by opening up options to them and giving them choices in how they learn.