Students are introduced to EarSketch and navigate the EarSketch interface.
Students use fitMedia to make and syntax debug an 8 measure piece of music.
General Description
The objective for this section is to introduce students to using EarSketch and coding music. Let them know that this is about exploring what is possible with coding music, not making the perfect piece of music. Students should be encouraged to experiment and play with sounds.
Yet another username and password can become problematic for forgetful, busy students. Make sure students record their user names and passwords, or use something they will be able to remember.
Activity 3.3.1 (Budget 45 minutes)
Students learn to navigate the EarSketch interface and play sound samples using Variables & fitMedia.
1. Present the EarSketch Interface Variables and fitMedia PowerPoint up to slide 8.
2. Have students create an EarSketch account. Note that actual name and email address are optional. Continue with slides 9 through 22. Then let the students explore the navigation icons on the left and tell them they will do a short quiz on the interface and fitMedia inputs in a few minutes.
3. Present the kahoot game (when you play the game it will give you the pin for your students) on the EarSketch interface as their "quiz" to help students memorize the interface and inputs for fitMedia.
Activity 3.3.2 (Budget 90 minutes)
Students learn how to add comments, mix music with fitMedia, syntax debug, and share their code with another EarSketch user.
1. Present slide 24 on fitMedia to remind them of the 4 inputs for fitMedia: sound sample, track, start measure and end measure.
2. Model in EarSketch how to add a purpose comment, drum variable and fitMedia block to the coding editor. Then paste sound samples with variables and fitMedia into a 2 sound sample piece of music for 8 measures. Also show them the Digital Audio Workstation to see a visual of the computer's execution of their code.
3. Add another variable and fitMedia and make an intentional syntax mistake by misspelling a variable name in the fitMedia block. Run the code even if the students tell you the mistake so that they can see the error message in the console. Ask the class to tell you how to fix your mistake and explain why this is called debugging using the slides at the beginning of the Debugging and Sharing Code PowerPoint.
4. Give the students the assignment on the Mini Task Assignment PowerPoint slide to make an 8 measure piece of music that has 3 or more sound samples. Tell them the title of Script is Period#_StudentName_8MScript to make it easy for you to find their script.
5. Show the sharing code part of the Debugging and Sharing Code PowerPoint and have students share their _8MScript to your EarSketch username and another student's username.